WOODSTOCK, Ga. (03/04/07) ? The Georgia State softball team split bracket play at the Buzz Classic on Sunday at the Twin Creek Softball Complex. State (12-9) defeated Furman (8-8-1) 3-2 in the semifinals before falling to Centenary (11-10) 10-4 in the championship.
Rachel Cunningham (Alpharetta, Ga./South Forsyth) was plated by Danielle Roddy (Canton, Ga./Woodstock) for State's first score of the game in the third inning.
Furman tied the game in the fourth when Abby Robertson scored on a sacrifice fly. The Panthers added two more runs in the sixth frame on a single and a sacrifice fly to take a 3-1 lead. Only allowing one run in the top of the seventh, State held on to a 3-2 victory and advanced to the Bronze Bracket Championship.
Madi Gore (7-2) collected the win for the Panthers, striking out five batters and forcing nine ground outs. Blake Murray (4-5) took the loss for the Paladins, forcing seven ground outs and fanning six batters.
In the championship game, an injury to Georgia State's pitcher forced an early change after an inning and a half. Centenary scored a run in the fourth frame to open a 1-0 advantage. The Ladies crossed three more runs in the fifth, taking a 4-0 lead.
The Panthers offense finally scored when Holly Willis (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) was plated from third base on a Jackie Jaegle (Kennesaw, Ga./Kell) single. Willis reached second base on a Roddy single. Jaegle's single placed runners at the corners. Jessica Gowin (Cohutta, Ga./Northwest Whitfield) stepped up to the plate and powered a three-run homer to tie the game at four.
However, the defense of the Panthers could not hold up, allowing six runs to cross the plate for the Ladies and falling behind 10-4. After Cunningham was hit by a pitch, State produced three consecutive outs. Centenary took a 10-4 victory and the Bronze Bracket Championship.
Ashley Cowan (3-2) grabbed the loss for the Panthers giving up eight earned runs. Stacy Whitmer (4-2) picked up the win for the Ladies while giving up four earned runs.
Georgia State will travel to Macon, Ga. for a doubleheader with Mercer on Tuesday, March, 6. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.
