GAME 1 | Appalachian State 9, Georgia State 3

Georgia State got contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, but the Panthers fell to the Appalachian State Mountaineers 9-3 Saturday.

Junior Sydney Boulware (4-7) started and took the loss in the circle for Georgia State (8-16, ). Junior Kate Kastelic was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going two shutout innings while allowing two hits.

Offensively, the Panthers were paced by freshman McKenzie Walker, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a walk and an RBI. Freshman Payton Nicholson compiled a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Junior Chloe Middlebrooks also contributed for Georgia State, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Panthers were trailing 4-0 in the second inning when they first put runs on the board. Georgia State plated two runs off of Appalachian State pitching, one of which was driven in on a run-scoring double off the bat of Nicholson.

The Panthers kept the deficit at 4-2 before closing the gap further in the third. Junior Alice Thomas came across to score the lone run of the inning for Georgia State, which tightened the Mountaineers lead to 4-3. The Panthers were unable to get any closer, as Appalachian State added five runs to their tally on the way to a 9-3 final.

GAME NOTES

» Every Panthers starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Georgia State's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed two runs across.
» The Panthers out-hit the Mountaineers at a 10-8 clip.
» Georgia State went 4-for-11 (.364) with runners in scoring position.
» Georgia State pitchers limited Appalachian State to just 2-for-10 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
» Georgia State pitchers faced 38 Appalachian State hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out four.
» Walker led the Panthers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
» Appalachian State was led offensively by freshman Grace Barrett, who went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and five RBI.
» Senior Delani Buckner led the Mountaineers pitching staff, throwing three shutout innings.

GAME 2 | Appalachian State 7, Georgia State 4

Junior Kate Kastelic (1-1) started and took the loss in the circle for Georgia State (8-17, ). Junior Emily Hodnett was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going four innings, surrendering two runs, both earned, on four hits, walking one and striking out two.

Freshman Jordan Rayner led the way offensively for the Panthers, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with a home run and an RBI. Freshman McKenzie Walker furnished a standout performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Sophomore Maia Mumpfield also helped out, going 2-for-3 for Georgia State.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Panthers were trailing 1-0 in the second inning when they first put runs on the board. Georgia State scored twice, with one run coming across on Walker's single.

The Mountaineers then rallied to score four runs and take a 5-2 lead before the Panthers got back on the board in the third. Georgia State picked up two runs, including one on a solo homer off the bat of Rayner, which brought the score to 5-4 in favor of the Mountaineers. The Panthers were unable to get any closer, as Appalachian State added two runs to their tally on the way to a 7-4 final.

GAME NOTES

» Georgia State's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed two runs across.
» Georgia State pitchers faced 31 Appalachian State hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out four.
» Rayner led the Panthers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» Appalachian State was led offensively by freshman Grace Barrett, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
» Senior Delani Buckner led the Mountaineers pitching staff, throwing 2.2 shutout innings.

=The Panthers rematch the Mountaineers on March 17 at 12 p.m.