Feb. 29, 2008

ATLANTA, Ga. - The Kennesaw State softball team returns to the Peach State for the first time in two weeks as the Owls take part in the Georgia State Spring Showdown this weekend at Bob Heck Field in Panthersville.

The Owls (11-4) will begin play against Evansville at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday afternoon and will then square off against Western Carolina at 4:45 p.m. KSU will close out pool play on Sunday against the host Panthers and will close out the two-day event in either the consolation or championship game later in the day.

KSU is coming off a 5-3 win over Jacksonville State on Wednesday afternoon. Shortstop Amanda Malcom drove in two runs and scored two more, while Brittany Matthews struck out 16 batters to give the Owls their first win over the Alabama-based school.

Leading the Black and Gold into this weekend's tournament is outfielder Lyndsay McCurry. The freshman from Stockbridge, Ga. has paced the Owls with a .360 batting average and 18 hits, while also leading the squad with 10 stolen bases in 11 chances. Freshman third baseman/pitcher Jessica Cross has a team-high five homeruns and is tops with 13 RBI.

Matthews continues to be dominant in the circle for the Owls and brings an 8-1 record into this weekend's play. The southpaw from Brooks, Ga. has recorded an Atlantic Sun Conference best 99 strikeouts in 56.2 innings of work. Her 1.36 earned run average is second-best in the league.

Head Coach Bob Heck garnered his 600th career victory last Saturday as Georgia State (11-1) downed Dayton in the Panther Invitational. GSU racked up two more wins on the weekend as they defeated Dayton, 8-2, again on Sunday, and came back to defeat Tennessee State 3-1 in Sunday's nightcap, and enter their third tournament with the second-best start in school history.

Evansville (8-4) continues their 12 game road trip after competing last weekend in the University of Memphis Tiger Invitational. Krista Price leads the Aces batting .371 with 13 hits, driving in a team high 13 RBIs. Price also leads the team in stolen bases, she has yet to be caught in her five attempts.

Western Carolina (2-8) makes its second trip to Panthersville this season after being swept by Georgia State State during a doubleheader on Feb 17. Lauren Ross leads the Catamount offensive attack, as she is batting .286 with three doubles, four home runs and nine RBIs.

After this weekend's games, the Owls will continue their month long roadtrip when they travel to the Under Armour Invitational in Tampa, Fla. Beginning next Thursday, March 6.