MACON, GA-- After opening conference play hosting App State, Georgia State heads out of town for a nine-game road series, starting at Mercer on March 20 at 6:00 p.m.

> Following the contest at Mercer, the Panthers head to rival program Georgia Southern for a three-game weekend series starting March 22. 

SERIES VS. MERCER: Georgia State is facing Mercer for the 28th time in program history. The Panthers are 17-10 on the series after falling 10-2 to the Bears on Feb. 14, 2024. 

> The last time Georgia State traveled to Macon was during the 2020 season, when the Panthers fell 8-0 on Feb. 22, 2020. 

THE ACE: Junior Transfer Sydney Boulware leads the Panthers in the circle, recording a 4.43 ERA and tallying 81 strikeouts on the season, which ranks third in the Sun Belt and 32nd nationally. The Dacula, Ga., native is sixth in the conference for innings pitched after totaling 85 innings over 20 games. She has notched two double-digit strikeout games on the season, starting with a season high 12 strikeouts against Robert Morris (Feb. 23).  

> Boulware recorded her first shutout of the season against Tennessee Tech (March 3).

> Led by Carolyn Deady with four, the Panthers rank ninth in the Sun Belt for home runs per game (0.54). 

> Georgia State ranks third in the Sun Belt and 33rd nationally for stolen bases (44).

>  The Panthers rank top 10 in the conference for doubles (1.00 pg) and triples (0.12). 

AROUND THE HORN:

> Senior Chloe Nadler has made an impact in her final season with the Panthers, leading the team batting average (.339), and is second on the team in runs scored (12) and RBIs (10). She is tied for the most steals on the season after going 6-for-6 on the bases.  

> Defensively, Nadler is second on the Panther's leaderboard in catches (70) and putouts (56).

> Nadler notched a season-high two home runs against Robert Morris (Feb. 23) to send the Panthers to an 11-8 win. 

> Jaycee Goodwin, who has started at third base through 21 games, leads the Panthers in hits (23). The Paris, Ky., native is tied for first on the team in doubles with four. 

> Senior starting catcher Carolyn Deady leads the Panthers in home runs (4), RBIs (15) and slugging percentage (.508).

> The starting catcher leads the Panthers defensively in catches (150) and putouts (135). 

> Sophomore Maia Mumpfield has started in 21 games at the first baseman, scoring a 97.6 percent fielding average. She has recorded 85 catches and 77 putouts at first base.

> Offensively, Mumpfield is tied for third on the team in home runs (2). She is second on the team in doubles with four. 

 > Chloe Middlebrooks, who has started in every game at center field, leads the Panthers in runs scored (14) . The junior switch hitter is second on the team in home runs (3), and is tied for second on the team for doubles (3)She leads the Panthers in steals on the season after going 7-for-7 on the bases. 

> Sophomore Ashton Schroyer is one of two players who has started every game for the Panthers. The Canton, Ga., native is second on the team in at-bats (75), recording 15 hits and eight runs. 

FABULOUS FRESHMEN: Heading into the 2024 season, the Panthers added seven freshmen to the roster, including Bella Morton, Makayla Stephens, Gabby Tillis, Lauren Brister, Jordan Rayner, Chloe Hatcher and Payton Nicholson. 

> Bella Morton has had a standout first season as a short stop. She leads all freshmen Panthers in catches (52) and putouts (22), and is second among freshmen in fielding average (.923).  The Locust Grove, Ga., native also leads the freshmen Panthers in RBIs (5). 

> Freshman Jordan Rayner, who has seen most of her action as the designated player, is second among freshmen Panthers in batting with a .207 batting percentage with six hits and two runs. Rayner leads the Panthers in doubles (4). 

> Payton Nicholson leads all freshmen on the team in batting average (.244) and hits (10). Nicholson is one of three Panthers to score a triple this season. 
 

After completing a nine-game road series, Georgia State returns home to host a weekend conference series against Marshall on March 5-7.