KENNESAW, GA. — The FIU softball team (19-8, 2-1 CUSA) will continue conference play this weekend with a three-game road series at Kennesaw State (9-17, 0-3 CUSA) beginning Friday night at 6 p.m.

The Panthers have won 12 of their past 13 contests. In last weekend's series against Middle Tennessee, FIU saw an 11-game winning streak come to an end in the second game, but bounced back to win the series.

One week after facing a Middle Tennessee team that featured a strong ability for extra-base hits, FIU will face a Kennesaw State team that has 15 home runs through 26 contests, which includes three in Wednesday's non-conference win over West Georgia.

This year represents Kennesaw State's initial season in Conference USA play, and the two programs will meet for the first time as conference foes. Prior to this weekend, the Owls and Panthers met just once before, which resulted in a 5-2 win for KSU on March 1, 2013.

NATIONAL LEADERS
As a team, FIU ranks seventh in stolen bases (68), 14th in steals per game (2.52) and 22nd in total hits (226). They are the conference's leader in steals.

The duo of Kennedy Byrd in the circle and Kally Meredith at the plate has helped FIU rank nationally in nine different individual categories.

Byrd (8-5, 3.30 ERA, 41 K) ranks fourth in innings pitched (89.0), 35th in wins, 38th in shutouts (2), 49th in complete games (6) and 51st in total appearances (16) among all NCAA Division I players. She leads all conference players in innings pitched and total appearances.

Meredith ranks eighth in total steals (20), 14th in steals per game (0.74), 16th in stolen base percentage (.952) and 19th in total hits (37). She leads the conference in hits and stolen base percentage.

OPPONENT OUTLOOK
Kennesaw State has lost three of their past four contests, but three of those were to conference-leading Liberty, which has opened the season 21-4 overall. The Owls are coming off a 10-7 non-conference win over West Georgia on Wednesday, where Jojo Johnson's walk-off grand slam gave her team some momentum heading into this weekend.

Offensively, the Owls are hitting .250 as a team, led by Hannah Harvey (.320, four doubles, 12 runs, 12 RBIs), Ava Brooke Strickland (.320, nine runs, seven RBIs), Alora Bevily (.320, five runs), Lexie Shaver (.260, team-high 15 runs, two home runs, 12 RBIs), Ana Gore (.292, team-high eight doubles, team-high 17 RBIs, three home runs) and Ava Guzowski (.299, four home runs, 13 RBIs).

Kennesaw State's pitching staff features a 4.85 ERA, led by Kenley Hilleary's 3.24 ERA. She is 3-3 overall in 49.2 innings with 30 strikeouts. Emma Friedel (5-6, 4.45 ERA) and Leah Jannakos (1-3, 5.50 ERA) are second and third in innings pitched.

UP NEXT
After this weekend, FIU will return home to Felsberg Field for a three-game conference series against New Mexico State next weekend.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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