Game 42-43 at Western Carolina (DH)
Game 42: Tuesday, April 7 @ 3 p.m.
Game 43: Tuesday, April 7 @ 5 p.m.
Location: Cullowhee, N.C.
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ATLANTA – Georgia State softball travels to Cullowhee, N.C., for a midweek doubleheader against the Western Carolina Catamounts on Tuesday, April 7. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. with game two scheduled for 5 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia State leads Western Carolina 17-6 in the all-time series, which dates back to March 11, 2007. The Panthers enjoyed a dominant stretch from February 17, 2008, to March 16, 2016, winning 10 consecutive games. Georgia State has maintained overall control, including a current one-game winning streak following a 6-4 victory at home on February 26, 2025. The Panthers have been strong at home, posting a 12-2 record in Atlanta, while the teams are even at 4-4 in Cullowhee. In the last 10 meetings dating back to March 1, 2019, Georgia State is 5-5. Overall, the series has produced 150 total runs, averaging 6.52 per game.
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 scorching .446 team batting average. The Panthers showcased their power with six doubles, three triples, and four home runs, while their pitching held opponents to a stingy .169 batting average.
SUN BELT DOMINANCE
The Georgia State Panthers continued their strong campaign into week eight, pacing the Sun Belt in hits (367), hits allowed per seven innings (6.40), team strikeouts per seven innings (6.45) and WHIP (1.29). The Panthers also rank second in batting average (.323), stolen bases per game (1.46), strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.46) and total stolen bases (60), while placing fourth in triples (9) and fourth in on-base percentage (.390).
Individually, Makayla Stephens continues to headline a dominant pitching staff, leading the Sun Belt in complete games (17), hits allowed per seven innings (4.70), strikeouts (165), strikeouts per seven innings (8.0), strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.88) and WHIP (0.84). She also ranks second in earned run average (2.23), second in innings pitched (144.1), second in victories (13), fourth in pitching appearances (28) and third in games started (21). Briana Bower has been a key complement in the circle, ranking sixth in games started (17).
Offensively, McKenzie Walker fuels the top of the lineup, ranking second in runs (45), second in runs per game (1.10), fifth in batting average (.423), sixth in on-base percentage (.513), second in hits (55) and tied for third in stolen bases per game (0.41). Maya Bagsby also provides a spark on the basepaths, tied with Walker for first in total stolen bases (17) and third in stolen bases per game (0.41), while adding 46 hits. Defensively, Caitlyn Hall has thrown out six runners, ranking sixth in the conference in caught stealing.
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 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), 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.
