ATLANTA -- Penn State scored an unearned run in the sixth inning and held Georgia State (9-12) to only three hits as the Nittany Lions squeezed by the Panthers, 1-0, in the nightcap of day one of the Springhill Suites Buckhead Classic at Georgia Tech's Mewborn Field.

Penn State's (10-7) scored its only run in the top of the sixth on a throwing error by centerfielder Jessica Clifton. Danee Collett singled to open up the inning. After a pair of outs, Kasie Hatfield singled up the middle. Collett rounded third but was held up in large part to the strength of Clifton's arm in center. However, the freshman overthrew catcher Maddy Stanton and Collett scampered home for what proved to be the game's only run.

In a losing effort, pitcher McCall Langford (3-6) struck out eight PSU batters, the second most of the season for her. The LaGrange, Ga., native allowed four hits while walking three in addition to the unearned run in her 6.1 innings of work.

Penn State pitcher Jackie Hill (6-4) hurled a shutout allowing only three hits. Clifton, Lauren Jones and Stanton produced GSU's hits.  

The Panthers return to action tomorrow when they meet up with Bowling Green at 1:30 p.m., before facing off with Belmont at 4 p.m. GSU will be looking for a measure of revenge against Bowling Green as the Falcons defeated the Panthers, 4-3, earlier this season at the Phyliss Rafter Memorial.

GSU had a prime opportunity to score in the fourth, as it loaded the bases with no outs. A pair of walks by Brenna Morrissey and Whitney Phillips brought Jones to the plate. She hit a little squibber past the pitcher that allowed all runners to advance safely. However, strike outs by Paige Nowacki and Audrey Mason and a liner by Tiffany Bess that was snagged out of the air by pitcher Jackie Hill ended the inning.

Penn State threatened in the top of the fifth as Cassidy Bell reached first on an error by Sparks. Bell reached third on a ground out and stolen base. A run was avoided though as Nowacki cleanly handled a grounder to end the threat.

The Panthers also had runners at first and second in the bottom of the fifth after Emily Whitaker walked and Clifton singled to right field. Outs recorded by Morrissey and Phillips left stranded GSU's fifth and sixth runners of the game.

For the game GSU left six runners on base, including five in the fourth and fifth innings. Penn State left eight on base.