The Sports Inquirer

Release from Kennesaw State Athletics:

The domination continued for the Kennesaw State softball team as the Owls pounded Northern Kentucky in five innings, 14-3, for their second-straight Atlantic Sun Conference series sweep and eight-straight league win on Sunday (April 12) at the Grein Softball Field.

“Today was a nice finish to a successful trip,” said interim head coach Tory Acheson. “Paige pitched very well today. She bounced back great when we needed her too and the offense continued to roll. Rachel Dennis, Megan Veringa and Kara Chambers all had big days. We have a few days to recover and then get ready for a huge weekend with Florida Gulf Coast at home. Senior Day is always emotional, so I am expecting a great weekend.”

The Owls move to 29-14 and hold their second place standing with a 10-5 mark in league play, while the Norse fall to 5-26 and 1-11 in conference.

KSU jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the opening frame with back-to-back RBI singles from juniors Megan Veringa and Kara Chambers, before classmate Emily Bishop was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

A two-run home run from Veringa in the second, followed by a five-run inning in the third gave the visitors a 10-0 edge.

NKU cut the Owl lead to 10-3 with three runs in the bottom of the third, but KSU closed out the run-rule win with a four-run fifth inning, highlighted by a three-RBI double to left center from Dennis, followed by a Bishop double to score Dennis.

The Owls totaled 14 hits and a pair of errors, while the Norse tallied seven hits and three miscues. Veringa paced the Offense with a 3-of-3 effort plus a season-high five RBI and three runs, while Dennis added four RBI, three hits and two runs. Chambers also contributed a 3-of-3 performance and four runs in the win.

Senior Paige Mathews (11-4) earned the win after allowing three runs, only one earned, on seven hits and striking out seven in five innings of work.

Ashlynn Roberts (3-10) took the loss after allowing 10 runs, nine earned, on nine hits in two and two-thirds innings.

The Owls will return to Kennesaw to close out their home schedule at Bailey Park and host Florida Gulf Coast next weekend in a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series, starting with a doubleheader on Saturday (April 18), before finishing up the series with a single game on Sunday (April 19).