Game 6-10: 2026 Mardi Gras Mambo
Location: Youngsville, La.
Friday, Feb. 13 @ 3 p.m.. – vs. Southeastern Louisiana
Friday, Feb. 13 @ 5 p.m. – vs. Northwestern State
Saturday, Feb. 14 @ 4 p.m. – vs. Nicholls
Saturday, Feb. 14 @ 6 p.m. – vs. Sam Houston
Sunday, Feb. 15 @ 11 a.m. – vs. LA Tech
Follow the Action: X | Instagram
ATLANTA – Georgia State softball (5-0, 0-0 SBC) continues its early-season tournament slate at the 2026 Mardi Gras Mambo, a three-day tournament in Youngsville, Louisiana. The Panthers will face Southeastern Louisiana, Northwestern State, Nicholls, Sam Houston and Louisiana Tech across five games beginning Friday, Feb. 13, at 3 p.m., and continuing through Sunday, Feb. 15.
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia State owns a 12-7 all-time record against Southeastern Louisiana in a series that dates back to 1992. The two programs first met on April 17, 1992, when the Panthers opened the series with an 8-4 victory. Georgia State found early success in the matchup, winning three of the first four meetings before Southeastern Louisiana earned its first series wins during the 1994 season. The most recent meeting came on Feb. 24, 2012, when Georgia State delivered a five-inning 12-0 shutout at a neutral site in Woodstock, Georgia.
Georgia State and Northwestern State are even at 1-1 in an all-time series that dates back to 1991. The two programs first met on April 19, 1991, when the Demons took a 6-0 victory. Georgia State evened the series three years later, earning a narrow 3-2 win on April 15, 1994, which stands as the most recent meeting between the two teams.
Nicholls State holds an 11-5 all-time advantage over Georgia State in a series that dates back to 1985. The two programs first met on April 3, 1985, with Nicholls sweeping a doubleheader by identical 10-3 scores. The Colonels continued to control the early years of the series, winning all five meetings across the 1987 and 1988 seasons, including a pair of shutouts in 1987. Georgia State broke through for its first win in the matchup on April 16, 1993, edging Nicholls 1-0 in a tightly contested contest. The Panthers found momentum in the early 2000s, earning four wins between Feb. 18, 2000, and Feb. 18, 2001, highlighted by two 8-0 shutouts. Georgia State captured the most recent meeting on Feb. 24, 2007, securing an 8-2 victory to mark the Panthers' latest win over the Colonels.
This weekend will mark the first-ever meeting between Georgia State and Sam Houston.
Louisiana Tech holds a 8-0 all-time advantage over Georgia State in a series that dates back to 1985. The two programs first met on April 6, 1985, when the Bulldogs opened the series with a decisive 9-0 shutout. The most recent meetings came on Feb. 27, 1993, when Louisiana Tech swept a doubleheader by scores of 3-1 and 7-0, extending its perfect record in the series against the Panthers.
SMASHING START
The Georgia State Panthers kicked off their season with the program's best start since 2008, sweeping the UWG Opening Weekend Event with a perfect 5-0 record. Over the weekend, GSU racked up 50 runs on 74 hits, boasting a .446 team batting average. The Panthers showcased their power with six doubles, three triples, and four home runs, while their pitching staff held opponents to a stingy .169 batting average.
INSIDE THE CIRCLE
Georgia State will feature a fresh look inside the circle this season as the Panthers' return only one pitcher from last season, Makayla Stephens. Stephens made 27 appearances during the 2025 campaign, striking out 103 batter to rank seventh in the conference in strikeouts and fourth in strikeouts looking (33). She will be joined by a group of newcomers in the circle, as freshman Brynn Belstle, Fort Valley transfer Tenison Myricks and Illinois transfer Briana Bower look to add new style to the Panthers' pitching staff.
NEW TO THE A
Georgia State welcomes nine new faces to the roster for the upcoming season, including four freshmen and five transfers ready to make an immediate impact. Freshmen Kya Walker, Maya Bagsby, Brynn Belstle and Samantha Breaux bring youthful energy and potential, while transfers Caitlyn Hall (Abilene Christian), Tenison Myricks (Fort Valley State), Briana Bower (Illinois), Allison Jones (Rhode Island) and Dillyn Suggs (Campbell) bring collegiate experience to bolster the Panthers' lineup.
GEORGIA ON OUR MIND
Georgia State's roster reflects a strong homegrown presence, with 14 out of 21 players hailing from the Peach State. The remaining seven players bring added depth to the roster, representing Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Missouri (1) and Texas (1).
NADLER HERE TO STAY
Following two standout seasons with the Panthers, Nadler joined the Owens coaching staff as a Graduate Assistant. She concluded her senior campaign as the team's offensive leader, starting 46 of 47 games. Nadler led the 2024 roster in nearly every major statistical category, including batting average (.296), home runs (7), triples (2), RBI (22), slugging (.520), and OBP (.390). During a highlight performance against Robert Morris on Feb. 23, 2024, she etched herself into the record book with a single-game home runs record (2), marking the second highest in a single game in program history.
Admission is free to all Georgia State softball home games in 2026.
