MACON, Ga. (03/06/07) ? Jackie Jaegle (Kennesaw, Ga./Kell) hit the game winning two-RBI single as Georgia State (14-9) defeated Mercer (5-11) 5-3 in the opening game of the doubleheader at Sikes Field on Tuesday afternoon. The Panthers used the eight-run rule to defeat the Bears 9-0 (5) in the nightcap.
Nichole Griffin (Leesburg, Ga./Lee County) hit an RBI single to score Georgia State's first run in the opening inning of the contest.
Jessica Gowin (Cohutta, Ga./Northwest Whitfield) hit a lead off home run in the top of the fourth for her fourth homer of the season to give the Panthers a 2-0 edge. On an infield fly, Griffin scored the third run for State to extend the lead to 3-0.
Ashley Anderson hit a double for the Bears to plate Jamie Madruga, cutting the lead to 3-1 in the sixth. On a bunt by Stacy Condra, Anderson scored the second run of the inning. Jena Ellis scored the tying run on a throw to second base.
Trying to intentionally walk Jaegle, she sent a two-RBI single up the middle to give the Panthers a two-run lead. State held a 5-3 lead going to the bottom of the seventh and shut out the Bears for the 5-3 victory.
Madi Gore (8-3) had seven strikeouts through four innings and finished with eight in seven complete innings. Nikki Bylak (1-1) took the loss for the Bears.
On the fourth consecutive single with zero outs, Nikki Bradford (McDonough, Ga./Henry County) hit an RBI single in the third frame to score Rachel Cunningham (Alpharetta, Ga./South Forsyth), the first run of the nightcap. Jaegle, a sophomore, followed with a two-run RBI to centerfield to give State a 3-0 advantage.
Lily Skelton (McDonough, Ga./Union Grove) went downtown via left field adding two runs to the Panthers lead in the fourth inning.
With the bases loaded and no outs, Holly Willis (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) received an RBI walk giving Georgia State a 6-0 lead. Alison Bradford (McDonough, Ga./Henry County) hit a two-RBI single into centerfield. Cunningham hit a double down the left line for another Panther run. State entered the bottom of the fifth with a 9-0 score and held on for the victory.
Ashley Cowan (4-2) threw a two-hitter while fanning four batters. April Cunningham (2-5) picked up the loss for Mercer giving up six earned runs on 10 hits.
Georgia State will travel to Tallahassee, Fla. for the Florida State Invitational beginning Friday, March 9. The Panthers will open the invitational against Appalachian State at 11:00 a.m
