ATLANTA (02/20/07) ? Senior Mary Kathryn Branan (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) hit the game winning single as Georgia State (7-4) swept Georgia Southern (3-7) in the twin bill at Bob Heck Field on Tuesday afternoon.  Georgia State won the first game 4-2 and came back from two down in the nightcap to win 5-4.

Nichole Griffin (Leesburg, Ga./Lee County) opened the first game with a two-run homer in the first inning giving State an early 2-0 lead. 

The Eagles cut the lead in half scoring on a double to left center in the fourth frame.

While Jackie Jaegle (Kennesaw, Ga./Kell) reached on a fielder's choice Rachel Cunningham (Alpharetta, Ga./South Forysth) scored in the bottom of the fourth.  On the next play, Lauren Fetters crossed the plate on a wild pitch.

Lindsey Hopkins scored the final point for the Eagles in the sixth inning on an error.  Georgia State held on to win 4-2.

Madi Gore (Acworth, Ga./Kell) picked up her fourth win of the season for the Panthers.  Gore (4-1) fanned eight batters while giving up one earned run.  Melissa Laliberte (1-3) took the loss for the Eagles.  She struck out eight batters and walked four.

The night cap began with Georgia Southern getting on the board first.  The Eagles scored one run in the first frame on a single and one in the second on a wild pitch.

Branan hit a single in the second inning, plating Nikki Bradford (McDonough, Ga./Henry County) for State's first run and cutting the lead to one.

Robyne Siliga hit a home run in the fourth frame to give the Eagles a 3-1 advantage.

Jessica Gowin (Cohutta, Ga./Northwest Whitfield) scored in the bottom of the frame on a Branan single to trim the lead in half again.

After another run by the Eagles in the fifth inning and a pitching change, State scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at four.  Lily Skelton () hit the two-run single that tied the game.

With one out and two runners on in the bottom of the seventh, Branan smacked the game winning single to the left side, scoring Alison Bradford (McDonough, Ga./Henry County) and giving the Panthers the 5-4 victory.

“These were great wins for us,” commented head coach Bob Heck.  “They were two big wins that we needed.”

Georgia State will be back in action as it hosts the Georgia State Spring Showdown on February 24-25.  State will face Jackson State at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.  All games will be on live stats on www.georgiastatesports.com.

Note: Mary Kathryn Branan went 5-7 (.714) with three RBI in the doubleheader versus Georgia Southern.