PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (04/14/07) ? The Georgia State (25-22, 5-6 CAA) dropped two heartbreakers to Drexel (13-11, 6-5 CAA) at Drexel Field on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers fell in the opening game 6-5 and the nightcap 3-2. Senior Mary Kathryn Branan (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) paced State batting 5-8 (.625) for the series with a double and a home run.
Elizabeth Thomas (Athens, Ga./Oconee County), who pinch ran for Lily Skelton (McDonough, Ga./Union Grove), scored Georgia State's first run in the second inning when Jessica Gowin (Cohutta, Ga./Northwest Whitfield) singled to right field with the bases loaded. The Dragons answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning.
Danielle Roddy (Canton, Ga./Woodstock) and Nichole Griffin (Leesburg, Ga./Lee County) scored in the third frame as Rachel Cunningham (Alpharetta, Ga./South Forysth) doubled to left center.
Branan was plated in the fifth inning as Drexel's pitcher walked Nikki Bradford (McDonough, Ga./Henry County). Branan added another run with a solo home run in the top of the sixth. The Panthers held a 5-2 lead going into the bottom of the seventh. However, the Dragons scored four runs in their last at bats to claim a 6-5 victory in game one.
Chelsey Morgan (2-7) took the loss for State, pitching in relief. Amanda Shattuck (3-3) grabbed the win for Drexel, pitching a complete game.
In game two, Roddy led off with a home run in the first frame to give State an early 1-0 lead. Branan was plated on a fielder's choice play with Cunningham. Drexel scored on a fielder's choice as well in the bottom of the frame.
The Panthers had a 2-1 advantage until the bottom of the fourth. The Dragons scored on a double and an error to take a 3-2 lead. Drexel held on to that score to take the twin bill.
Ashley Cowan (8-6) picked up the loss for Georgia State and Katrina Gaudier (7-4) collected the win for Drexel.
The Panthers will be back in action on Wednesday as they make a trip to Western Carolina for a mid-week doubleheader in Cullowhee, N.C. The first pitch is slated to begin 2:00 p.m.
