ATLANTA --Georgia State was one out from posting its ninth straight win when Kennesaw State's Lyndsay McCurry hit a two-out, two-run triple in the top of the seventh inning to give the Owls a 3-2 victory over GSU on Wednesday at Bob Heck Field. The loss snapped the Panthers eight game winning streak.
After starting pitcher Kaitlyn Medlam went six innings and allowed only a run on two hits, reliever Erin Collins entered to try to close out the Owls. Tied for the NCAA lead with seven saves, Collins allowed a pair of hits to open the inning. However, a short foul out to catcher Maddy Stanton and a ground out to Collins put runners on second and third with two outs. In stepped McCurry, who knocked an 0-1 pitch to center field, scoring the game-winning runs. Pitcher McCall Langford entered in relief of Collins and struck out the last batter to take the game to the bottom of the seventh.
Missed opportunities plagued the Panthers in the contest. GSU had runners on second and third in the fourth when a pair of strikeouts by Panther batters ended the inning. Later in the game in the sixth, GSU again had runners on second and third with one out. After a strikeout, Morrissey stepped to the plate and struck out swinging but reached first base on a wild pitch. However, Whitney Phillips tried to advance home from third and was tagged out by catcher Morgan Chapman, who recovered the ball just behind home plate and made the play on Phillips.
Medlam was given a no-decision despite only allowing two hits and a run, while striking out five. Collins (2-2) suffered the loss after giving up three hits and two runs in two-thirds of an inning pitched.
Amanda Henderson (5-6) picked up the win for the Owls. Swanson went 3-for-3 with two runs scored. McCurry had the game-winning triple and two RBI.
Megan Kallatsa got the Panthers on the board first in the third inning with her first career homer, a shot to left field.
The Owls quickly tied the game at one as Sharon Swanson hit her Atlantic Sun-leading 12th homer of the year in the fourth.
GSU plated what appeared to be the game-winning run in the fifth. After Jessica Clifton worked an 11 pitch at-bat by fouling off seven pitches and earning a walk, sophomore Brenna Morrissey knocked a double to center field to put runners at second and third. Clifton was put out at home on a fielder's choice, but Nowacki clocked a single up the middle to score Morrissey and give GSU a 2-1 lead.
With a 2-for-4 day, Nowacki extended her hitting streak to 11 games.
Georgia State (24-17, 8-1) hosts Delaware in a three-game CAA series this weekend. Saturday's doubleheader begins at 12 p.m., with Sunday's finale slated for 12 p.m. as well. All three games can be followed via GSU live stats.
