BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - March 12, 2006 - Cambria McKay hit a home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Owls a 1-0 lead but that just opened the gates to a wild ending for the Owls as Kennesaw State came from behind to defeat Texas El-Paso, 3-2, in the semifinals of the 2006 Leigh's Athletic Ware Panther Spring Classic at BSC Field on Sunday morning.

Leading 1-0 after the McKay's sixth home run of the season, KSU starter Lisa Lamb retired the first batter of the top of the seventh inning. However, an infield single by UTEP's (8-16) Amber Bennett and a double to right center field by Simone Holland quickly tied the score. After moving to third on the throw, Holland scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by DeAnna Camacho.

The Owls (17-11) rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning as April Keasler; whose average has soared over .300 recently, led off the inning with a single up the middle of the Miners Meagan Teal. Kelley Cowart then dropped down a bunt that died in front of UTEP catcher Rachel Schaeffer. Schaeffer's hurried throw went into right field, putting Keasler at third and Cowart and second with nobody out.

After Jen Hunt struck out, a severe bout of wildness struck Teal. After pitching around Keri McKee resulted in a walk to load the bases, Teal couldn't fins the strike zone as she walked McKay to tie the game and Jen Nolan to give win the game for Kennesaw State.

Lamb was effective for six innings as she earned her ninth win of the season. Lamb did not allow a run until the two-run seventh inning and at one point during the game she had retired 13 consecutive batters. She finished the day scattering five hits with a pair of strike outs and she did not issue a walk.

Cowart, who raised her hitting streak to nine games, had two hits to lead the Owls while McKay had two of the three runs batted in for KSU. Hunt had her six-game hitting streak stopped while Nolan saw her five-game hitting streak come to an end.

Kennesaw State will advance to the championship game to play the winner of the other semifinal game between Birmingham Southern and Centenary.