Feb. 26, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State softball team will continue its month away from the friendly confines of Bailey Park as the Owls travel to Jacksonville State for a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.

The Owls (10-4) come into Wednesday's showdown after going 2-2 at the College of Charleston Cougar Classic last weekend. KSU downed Towson and North Carolina State, but fell to Liberty and the host Cougars.

Outfielder Lyndsay McCurry has paced the Black and Gold's offensive attack, with 17 hits and 10 stolen bases. Third baseman/pitcher Jessica Cross has a team-high 13 runs batted in and leads the team and is fifth in the Atlantic Sun Conference with five homeruns.

Jacksonville State (7-5) enters the twinbill on a full week's rest after sweeping Chattanooga in the Gamecocks' home-opener last Wednesday afternoon. Outfielder Kelsey Chandler hit a walk-off, two run homer to win game one, 7-6, and then belted a three-run shot to secure the sweep with a 7-5 victory in the nightcap.

Nikki Prier's 16 hits and .400 batting average leads the Gamecocks, while Allie Barker has driven in a team-high 15 runs.

Wednesday's showdown will be the first ever meeting between the schools that are separated by just 150 miles. It second time in a week, however, that the Owls have played in the state of Alabama after splitting last Wednesday with UAB in Birmingham.

After the mid-week contests, the Owls will return to the Peach State to take part in the Georgia State Spring Showdown which begins Saturday. KSU will square off against Evansville and Western Carolina on Saturday before closing the two-day event with the final pool play game against the host Panthers before a final game late Sunday afternoon.