Panthersville, Ga. - The Georgia State softball team triumphed over the 17th nationally-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 11-3, in six innings, on Saturday, Feb. 9, in their second game of the season at the Georgia State First Pitch Classic.

For the Panthers, Danielle Roddy started off the bottom of the first with a double to left center. With one out and Roddy on second, freshman Lauren Jones smashed a long ball over the left field fence to put the Panthers to an early 2-0 lead.  Lily Skelton drew a walk before the next batter, freshman Catherine Lee, belted her first collegiate home run over the centerfield fence to put the Panthers up by four.

After sitting down the first three Georgia Tech batters, the Panthers rallied again in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Roddy and Natasha Berry drew consecutive walks. Roddy crossed the plate when Jones connected with a hit to right for her third RBI single of the night.

The Panthers kept up the attack in the third inning, when senior Jessica Gowin and sophomore Rachel Cunningham scored off a single from senior Holly Willis, giving State a 7-0 lead.

The Yellow Jackets tried to catch-up in the sixth when freshman Jessica Weaver connected with a two-out, three-run drive to centerfield, but the Panthers stayed strong and closed out the inning without another scratch.

State ended the game in the bottom of the sixth inning, as they scored four runs on a single, two stolen bases and a three-run homerun by Catherine Lee to enforce the run-rule.

Junior Madi Gore garnered the win for the Panthers, facing only 24 batters and holding the Yellow Jackets to six hits and one walk through six.

State finishes up pool play against Lipscomb on Sunday at 12:15 p.m. and then the four teams will be re-seeded and play a consolation and championship round game later in the afternoon.