Kennesaw State Softball vs. Georgia State: Live Stream & How to Watch

ATLANTA, Ga. – Kennesaw State softball travels to Georgia State on Tuesday evening for a 6 p.m. Contest at Bob Heck Softball Complex. The Owls (4-17, 0-3 CUSA) are looking to bounce back after their first Conference USA series, while the Panthers (16-9, 0-0 Sun Belt) have already surpassed their win total from the entirety of the 2025 season.

Kennesaw State’s offense showed flashes of potential during the weekend series, highlighted by a four-hit performance from senior Macie Howes. Howes joins teammates Hannah Harvey and Ava Brooke Strickland in the exclusive four-hit club.

Junior pitcher Leah Jannakos delivered a standout performance in a 12-inning game, logging 11.1 innings pitched. This marked her fifth outing of the season with at least 7.0 innings, a significant increase from her previous two seasons.

Offensively, Ana Gore enjoyed a productive weekend, batting .500 (6-for-12) with four RBI. She also recorded her first career triple and improved her season batting average to .294.

Georgia State’s Strong Start

Georgia State, under second-year head coach Becca Owens, enters the contest with a 16-9 record. The Panthers boast one of the Sun Belt Conference’s most potent offenses, leading the league in hits (251) and ranking second in batting average (.354) and on-base percentage (.413). They are also third in runs scored with 152.

Leading the Panthers in the circle is Makayla Stephens, who leads the Sun Belt in innings pitched (93.2), strikeouts (112), complete games (11), wins (12), and WHIP (0.78). Her ERA of 1.57 is the third-best in the conference. The Panther lineup features eight qualified starters hitting over .300, with McKenzie Walker leading the way with a .413 batting average, a .490 on-base percentage, and a .525 slugging percentage for a 1.015 OPS. She also leads the conference with 33 hits, while Maia Mumpfield paces the team with 29 RBI.

Series History

The Owls and Panthers have a long-standing rivalry, having played 52 times since 1991. Kennesaw State holds a 28-24 advantage in the all-time series. In 2025, Georgia State won two of three matchups, including both games played at Bailey Park. Kennesaw State’s lone victory came at the I-75 Challenge on February 22.

Owls’ Standout Performers

Macie Howes has been a consistent force for the Owls, batting .477 with five home runs and 22 RBI this season. She recently homered in three consecutive games, a feat not accomplished by an Owl since 2021.

Alora Bevily has also been heating up, batting .457 over the last 12 games. She recorded a perfect 4-for-4 performance against Furman, becoming the first Owl to achieve that since 2024. Bevily also ranks fifth in CUSA in defensive runs saved at +4.01.

Historic Offensive Outing

Kennesaw State’s offense reached historic levels against Furman on February 21, recording a Division I program-record 20 hits in a 16-7 victory. Alora Bevily and Hannah Harvey each tallied four hits, becoming the first Owls to do so since 2024. Ana Gore recorded two sacrifice flies in the same game, a program first.

Jannakos Anchors the Pitching Staff

Junior pitcher Leah Jannakos has emerged as the Owls’ ace, starting the season strong with an 8.0-inning outing against George Washington. She secured her first win at UNCW and has recorded two complete games against Miami and Chattanooga. Jannakos is the first Owl to win her first four decisions since 2020.

New Leadership

The 2026 season marks a new era for Kennesaw State softball under the leadership of head coach Selena Collins-Patterson, the seventh head coach in program history and the first female to lead the Owls since 1986. Collins-Patterson brings over 22 years of coaching experience to Kennesaw State.

The Owls’ coaching staff also includes pitching coach Crystal Hampton, and recently promoted Daisy Hess and Mel Savala.

Captains Lead the Way

Seniors Macie Howes and Ava Brooke Strickland have been named captains for the 2026 season. Howes earned All-Conference USA honors in 2025, while Strickland has made an immediate impact as a corner outfielder.