LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bellarmine softball played Kennesaw State tight on Friday evening, but the Knights fell by a final score of 4-2 in the series opener against the Owls at Knights Field.

Chloe Collins carried the Bellarmine offense, starting with a RBI double in the first inning to put the Knights ahead 1-0.   Kennesaw State answered in the next half inning with a RBI single from Madison Miller to even the game 1-1.

Both team went scoreless until the bottom of the fourth, when Collins led off with a solo blast.  The sophomore slugger now has eight home runs on the season, ranking top-10 in the ASUN.

KSU showed immediate resistance again, however, evening the game in the top half of the fifth with a RBI single from Bella Galloway.

Collins doubled to lead off the sixth for Bellarmine, making her a perfect 3-3 on the evening, but three consecutive strikeouts ended the threat. 

The Owls capitalized in the top of the seventh with a late rally, eventually taking the lead on a Kiera Cooper two-run home run.  Despite generating a pair of base-runners, Bellarmine was unable to answer in the home half, and KSU locked up the series opener.

Collins' three-hit game was her first of the season and pushed her RBI total to a team-best 17 on the year.

Claire Lehmkuhler tossed all seven innings for Bellarmine, while Melanie Bennett earned the complete game win for Kennesaw State.

Bellarmine will honor its seniors tomorrow prior to game two of the series.  Senior Day ceremonies begin at 12:45 p.m., while first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Knights Field.

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