Game One:
Kennesaw State (11-39, 2-22 Conference USA) came into their penultimate CUSA series of the season with only one win.
As for the Miners, after starting 2-10 in CUSA, a six-game win streak now had them opening the series versus the Owls in search of their ninth conference win.
Despite momentum favoring UTEP, it was KSU who had a strong start at the plate, driving in runs at the top of the first inning courtesy of runs-batted-in (RBI) single from sophomore Ava Guzoswki, and a sacrifice fly from freshman Ana Gore.
The Miners, who are second in CUSA in batting average, failed to drive in any runs for the first two innings. At the top of the third, the Owls extended their lead four to nothing after a two-RBI double from Guzowski.
Sophomore pitcher Leah Jannakos had only allowed one hit from UTEP until their third batting appearance. With a runner on first, senior Ashlynn Griffith singled down to right field for a base hit. In came redshirt junior Paige Lassiter, who was starting in a spot typically reserved for junior Iliana Munoz.
With only one out on the board Lassiter blasted Jannakos’ pitch out of the Helen of Troy Softball Complex fence and launched UTEP right back into the ball with a three-run homer, to cut KSU’s lead down to a run.
The Owls would respond with two RBI singles from sophomore shortstop Jojo Johnson in the fourth inning, and junior catcher Macie Howes in the fifth inning to extend their lead six to three.
Only one out remained for UTEP as senior Ajia Richard, who leads CUSA in batting, and is ranked top five in the nation, took the plate. With a runner on first, Richard would blast her pitch down the left field line, sending freshman Brantley Lavas home, while she reached second base.
In came CUSA freshman of the week Marissa Burchard, who after a controversial foul ball ruling from the home plate umpire took away an RBI double from Burchard, succeeded in hitting a single up the middle to still get a run on the board for UTEP. The Miners, with two innings to go, had cut KSU’s lead to one.
Freshman pitcher Serenity Jacoway was only pitching her second inning of the day after relieving graduate student Taja Felder, yet she was able to get outs on three out of four Owl batters in the sixth inning.
As the Owls clung to a one run lead, Head Coach Tripp MacKay decided to relieve Jannakos of her duties and inserted junior pitcher Kenley Hilleary into the circle.
Hilleary’s would have to deal with the fiery sophomore shortstop Madi Mendoza, who on a one two count would hit a single to get on base. She would later go to second after junior Bri Garcia walked.
In came senior Amaya Lee as a pinch hitter for Lavas, she would load up the bases for UTEP setting up Ashlynn Griffith, who would connect on a single that sent two runners’ home, giving the Miners their first lead of the night. A wild pitch and a single from Richard would extend UTEP’s lead nine to six, an advantage in which Serenity Jacoway protected at the top of the seventh to give the Miners game one of the series.
Sebastian Perez-Navarro is the multimedia editor for the Prospector and can be reached at [email protected] or Instagram and X @sebastianpn8
