WOODSTOCK, Ga. (03/02/07) ? Georgia State softball scored a combined 17 runs en route to a sweep of the first day competition at the Georgia Tech Buzz Classic at the Twin Creek Softball Complex on Friday night. Georgia State defeated Florida A&M 6-1 then cruised past East Tennessee State 11-1.
Rhianna Green scored on a wild pitch for the Lady Rattlers in the first inning for its only score of the game.
Nikki Bradford (McDonough, Ga./Henry County) was plated on a bases loaded walk followed by Nichole Griffin's (Leesburg, Ga./Lee County) score on a walk to placed State up 2-1 in the bottom of the first inning. Jessica Gowin (Cohutta, Ga./Northwest Whitfield) smacked a three-run homer in the second frame extending the lead to four.
Alison Bradford (McDonough, Ga./Henry County) sent a bomb over the left field fence for her second home run of the year in the fifth inning. That home run was the last run scored for the Panthers in the game and they held on for the 6-1 victory
Ashley Cowan (3-1) collected the win for the Panthers, fanning a season-high 11 batters in seven innings. Ashley Jones (0-3) takes the loss for the Lady Rattlers only pitching two innings but giving up five earned runs.
In the night game, East Tennessee State got on the board in the first inning on a single by Jessica Hackworth. That run was the only score ETSU placed in the books.
Mary Kathryn Branan (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) scored from first base on a double by Rachel Cunningham (Alpharetta, Ga./South Forsyth) in the fourth frame to tie the score at one. Griffin knocked a deep one over the scoreboard in center field to give the Panthers a 3-1 advantage in the fifth. Georgia State scored two more runs in the sixth inning.
The seventh frame proved to be the lucky frame as the Panthers offense exploded for six runs. Griffin led off with a double and later Holly Willis (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) scored on a sacrifice fly, who pinch ran for Griffin. After four more hits, a walk and holding ETSU to zero runs in the seventh, Georgia State won 11-1.
Madi Gore (6-2) grabbed the win for Georgia State while retiring eight batters and without giving up an earned run. Darci Gilbert (2-4) picked up the loss for the Buccaneers with four strikeouts and five earned runs.
Georgia State will return to action tomorrow against Wisconsin at 5:00 p.m. and Morehead State at 7:00 p.m. at the Buzz Classic.
