Kennesaw State jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as the Owls defeated LeMoyne 6-0 in an elimination game at the NCAA Division II Softball Championships in Salem, Va. 

With the win, Kennesaw State snapped an eight-game losing streak at the national tournament, and advances to face the loser of tonight’s Bloomsburg-Lynn game on Saturday. 

The Owls struck first with a two-out rally started by Keri McKee’s single. Cambria McKay followed with another single, and LeMoyne starter Erin Phaneuf walked Jennifer Nolan to load the bases. Kelley Cowart singled in a run and Phaneuf’s wild pitch scored McKay as Kennesaw took a 2-0 lead after one. 

The Owls would leave two on in the second frame before beginning the third inning with a double and a walk. Sarah Reed replaced Phaneuf in the circle for the Dolphins and retired Cowart before allowing Chelce Culberson to reach on an error to load the bases. 

Kate Winstel’s groundout then scored a run and Courtney Masiak delivered a two run double to give the Owls a 5-0 lead. Jennifer Nolan hit an RBI single in the sixth to provide the game’s final run. 

Brittany Matthews (26-4) tossed a complete game two-hit shutout for Kennesaw State.