Softball, baseball teams rank high in final national stats

Kennesaw State University's 2000 softball and baseball teams ranked high in many statistical categories, according to the final NCAA Division II report.

The Kennesaw State softball squad finished third in won-lost percentage (.875), 10th in batting (.335 average), 13th in slugging percentage (.469), 13th in double plays (0.39 per game), 16th in scoring (5.84 runs per game), tied for 18th in doubles (1.50 per game), 19th in pitching (1.18 earned run average), tied for 24th in home runs (0.50 per game) and 25th in fielding (.962 percentage).

Individually for the Owls, senior catcher Audra Thomas--a three-time First Team All-American--concluded the year ranked No. 10 in home runs (0.27 per game), 10th in slugging percentage (.825), 16th in walks (0.64 per game), 32nd in RBIs (0.98 per game) and 39th in batting (.432 average). Sophomore pitcher Lacey Gardner led the country with eight saves, was tied for fourth in victories (33) and ended 36th in ERA (1.05) while junior first baseman/pitcher Heather Birch was 49th in ERA (1.21). Thomas also finished as the total leader in walks with 41.

The KSU baseball club concluded the campaign rated seventh in pitching (3.46 ERA) and 34th in double plays (0.86 per game).

Among the individual leaders in baseball was senior pitcher Lee Rodney, who ended the year at No. 19 with 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

The Kennesaw State softball team went 56-8 overall in 2000, ending as the national runner-up, while the baseball squad was 38-20. Both clubs made their sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearances last May.