ATLANTA, Ga. (February 14, 2009) The Georgia State softball team defeated the Evansville Purple Aces, 9-8, and the Virginia Tech Hokies, 3-2, on the first day of the Georgia State First Pitch Classic on Saturday at Bob Heck Field. Missouri defeated Evansville, 4-2, in the morning's opening game and Virginia Tech, 10-0, in the third game of the day.
Tiffany Bess led the Panthers with 4 RBIs on the day, with Rachel Cunningham recording 3, and Lily Skelton tallying two. First baseman Lauren Jones, second baseman Rebecca Roles, and freshman Chelsea Sparks each had one RBI.
Bess went 4-for-5 on the day, including a single run scored, and Roles went 5-for-7 and crossed the plate twice for Georgia State.
Two freshman pitchers registered their first career wins as Panthers this afternoon. On the mound against Evansville was freshman Erin Collins, who pitched the final 3 innings and finished with 4 hits, 0 runs, and a single strikeout. Hurler Alana Thomas pitched the full game against Virginia Tech and faced 33 batters and allowed 10 hits, 2 runs, and walked 4 batters
In Game 2 of the day, Evansville started out aggressive as freshman Kylie Wagner batted in a single run at the top of the first inning. The Purple Aces kept the momentum going in the second inning with a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Kelci Alsip. Evansville put another 4 runs on the board after a grand slam in the third inning by third baseman Lissa Fehlman.
The Panthers responded in the bottom of the second when sophomore Rebecca Roles knocked in an RBI and shortstop Rachel Cunningham crossed the plate. Junior Lily Skelton added a few runs to the board when she hit a 2-run homer to lift the Panthers within 2 runs of the Purple Aces.
The Panthers scored again in the fourth inning when first sophomore Tiffany Bess singled and brought Roles home. Georgia State scored again when Lauren Jones singled and allowed Bess to cross the plate.
A three-run sixth inning provided the winning margin for the host Panthers.
In final game of day one of the tournament, the Panthers faced the Hokies from Virginia Tech and came out on top. Georgia State registered two runs on the board in the second inning when Bess singled to right field and allowed Jones and Roles to cross the plate.
Georgia State scored another run when Cunningham singled to right field and catcher Catherine Lee crossed home plate. Virginia Tech answered in the next inning and scored a run off an RBI of senior Jessica Everhart.
The Panthers out hit the Hokies 10-7 as Bess knocked in two RBIs and Rachel Cunningham took credit for the final one.
The Panthers (2-3) are back in action tomorrow, Sunday February 15th at 12:15 p.m. as they take on the Missouri Tigers in day two of the Georgia State First Pitch Classic. Livestats will be available at www.georgiastatesports.com.
