ATLANTA – The Georgia State softball team was defeated by in-state rival Georgia Southern 5-2 Wednesday afternoon in Statesboro, Ga. The Panthers fall to 20-21 this season after the loss and the Eagles improve to 28-11 overall with the win.
GSU was retired in order in the top of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Georgia Southern designated player Taylor Rogers reached with a lead-off single. She then stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice fly. Next, third baseman Shelby Morrill singled to plate Rogers before Morrill scored on shortstop Kourtny Thomas' double. Thomas then scored on a single by first baseman Morgan Robinson to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead after one.
GSU catcher Callie Alford reached with a lead-off single in the top of the second. Second baseman Kensey Caldwell then singled through the left side to but Panthers on first and second. Both runners advanced on right fielder Megan Litumbe's pop fly. Alford then scored on a wild pitch to cut Georgia Southern's lead to 3-1. After a strikeout, third baseman MeQuilla Franklin singled to plate Caldwell and make it a 3-2 game. GSU reliever Kaitlyn Medlam retired the Eagles three up and three down in the bottom of the second to keep it a 3-2 game after two innings.
In the top of the third, center fielder Ashley Christy was hit by a pitch with one out. She advanced to second when first baseman Lauren Coleman reached on catcher's interference. After a strikeout, Caldwell drew a walk to load the bases but a pop-up ended the GSU threat. Georgia Southern was retired in order in the bottom of the third and the score was still 3-2 after three complete.
Both teams were retired three up and three down in a scoreless fourth inning. Shortstop Taylor Anderson led off the top of the fifth with a single back to the pitcher. After a strikeout, Coleman doubled down the right field line to put Panthers on second and third. However, GSU could not score when two strikeouts ended the top of the frame. Medlam keep it a 3-2 game after five when she retired the Eagle side in order in the bottom of the inning.
After retiring Georgia State three up and three down in the top of the sixth, Georgia Southern scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to extend its lead to 5-2 after six complete. In the top of the final inning Eagles' starter Sarah Purvis forced three pop-ups to end the game and secure the 5-2 win.
GSU starter Eron Milton drops to 4-6 overall after allowing three runs on four hits. Senior Kaitlyn Medlam pitched 5.2 innings in relief and allowed two runs on three hits.
Georgia Southern's Sarah Purvis improves to 16-5 this season after earning the complete game victory. She pitched 7.0 innings and allowed two runs on five hits.
Georgia State returns to the field on Saturday, April 12 for a three-game Sun Belt Conference series against Texas State at Bob Heck Field. The Panthers and Bobcats will play a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Saturday and a single game Sunday at 12 p.m.
