CARROLLTON, Ga. – Georgia State softball (2-0, 0-0 SBC) opened the 2026 season in strong fashion on Friday, sweeping a pair of wins in Carrollton, Ga., with wins over the Drexel Dragons and the Austin Peay Governors. The Panthers powered past the Dragons 11-2 before knocking off the Governors 7-1 to start the season off with a 2-0 record.
GAME 1: GSU 11, DREXEL 2
Georgia State jumped on the scoreboard early in the bottom of the first inning as Bella Morton came around to home plate to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
After Drexel answered to briefly take a 2-1 advantage, the Panthers reclaimed control in the fourth. With runners on, Maya Bagsby delivered a clutch two-run triple to put Georgia State back in front, 4-2.
The Panthers added to their lead in the fifth, extending the margin to 6-2, before breaking the game open in the sixth inning. Georgia State erupted for five runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run home run from Chloe Hatcher and a two-run single from Dillyn Suggs to push the lead to 11-2.
In the circle, Briana Bower earned the win in her first start of the season, tossing six innings while allowing two earned runs on five hits, striking out three to secure the victory.
GAME 2: GSU 7, APSU 1
The Panthers carried their momentum into game two, striking first in the top of the opening inning as McKenzie Walker crossed the plate to give Georgia State an early 1-0 edge.
Georgia State widened the gap in the second inning, scoring three runs behind a two-run single from Walker to take a 4-0 lead. The Panthers continued to apply pressure in the fourth with an RBI single to make it 5-0.
Austin Peay got on the board with a solo home run, but Georgia State quickly answered in the sixth. Maia Mumpfield delivered a two-out RBI single as part of a two-run inning, sealing the 7-1 victory.
Stephens was dominant in the circle, striking out eight Governors over seven innings. She allowed just one run on two hits while walking one to earn the win and complete the game.
GAME 1 NOTES
» K. Walker compiled three base hits in the game for Georgia State.
» Georgia State's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed five runs across.
» Four Panthers had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Panthers out-hit the Dragons at a 12-5 clip.
» Georgia State went 5-for-11 (.455) with runners in scoring position.
» Georgia State pitchers faced 26 Drexel hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out three.
» The Panthers drew four walks from Drexel pitching.
» Bagsby led the Panthers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs.
GAME 2 NOTES
» Walker compiled four hits on the day for Georgia State.
» Stephens struck out eight Governors hitters.
» Georgia State's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed three runs across.
» Georgia State grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Panthers out-hit the Governors at a 13-2 clip.
» Georgia State went 5-for-14 (.357) with runners in scoring position.
» Georgia State pitchers limited Austin Peay to just 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
» Georgia State pitchers faced 26 Austin Peay hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and six fly balls while striking out eight.
» Walker led the Panthers at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs.
ON DECK
The Panthers are back in the diamond for day two of the UWG Opening Weekend Event on Saturday, Feb. 7. The Panthers are set to face host team West Georgia at 5 p.m. and Austin Peay at 7:30 p.m.
