WOODSTOCK, Ga. -- A four-run first inning propelled the Georgia State softball team (7-9) to a 5-2 victory over Ball State (6-3) on the final day of the Phyliss Rafter Memorial in Woodstock, Ga. The Panthers finished the tournament at 2-3. Senior first baseman Lauren Jones and sophomore pitcher McCall Langford earned all-tournament team honors.
After Ball State got on the board in the top of the first on Jennifer Gilbert's two-run homer to right field, the Panthers answered in the bottom of the inning with four runs. Freshman Jessica Clifton hit a bunt single, and Whitney Phillips singled up the middle to get the inning going. Jones bashed her fourth homer of the season and second in as many days to put GSU up, 3-2. Three walks in a row chased Cardinal starting pitcher Audrey Workman from the game without recording an out. After a diving catch by the centerfielder yielded the first out, catcher Maddy Stanton hit a long fly ball off Kim Mazzapica that scored Nowacki from third to give GSU a 4-2 lead heading to the second.
GSU added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth to push the score to 5-2. Phillips opened the inning with a single and stolen base, and Paige Nowacki drove her in with a single up the middle.
Langford (2-3) turned in her first complete game win of the season, allowing two runs on four hits, while striking out six. Langford has now won two games in a row after beginning the year 0-3.
Jones was the star again for GSU. On the weekend the Stockbridge, Ga., native batted .438, going 7-for-16 with two homers, seven RBI and five runs scored. Phillips went 2-for-3 with two runs scored in the contest.
The Panthers return to action on Tuesday when they host crosstown rival and No. 22 ranked Georgia Tech in a 5 p.m. game. The contest against the Yellow Jackets will be available via live stats.
