ATLANTA, Ga. (February 22, 2009) The Georgia State University softball team split on day two of the Panther Invitational, first defeating Lipscomb, 11-6, in the morning, and then falling, 4-1, in the championship game. Eastern Kentucky defeated Georgetown, 4-2, in the first game of day two and the two teams met up again in the consolation game, with Eastern Kentucky taking the win again, 3-2.
The Panthers played Lipscomb once in the morning and met up with the Lady Bisons again for the championship game of the tournament.
Senior hurler Madi Gore picked up the win in the first game against Lipscomb. Gore pitched 3.2 innings and struck out three of 19 batters.
Sophomore Megan Kallatsa led the Panthers and knocked in four RBI while sophomore Catherine Lee hit a home run and brought in three runs. Second baseman Rebecca Roles was not far behind with two RBI while short stop Rachel Cunningham recorded one.
Freshman Alana Thomas (1-3) took the mound in the championship game of the Panther Invitational against Lipscomb. Thomas struck out and walked three batters each, facing a total of 19 batters.
Seniors Holly Willis and Natasha Berry, juniors Danielle Roddy and Rachel Cunningham, and sophomore Catherine Lee had a hit a piece in the championship game, with Lee recording the solo RBI.
In game one, Georgia State started out aggressive and knocked in four runs in the first inning. With the bases loaded, the Lipscomb pitcher forced in the first run when Roles was hit by a pitch. Cunningham reached first base off an error by the Lipscomb left fielder and allowed Lee to cross the plate. Kallatsa then brought in two RBI off of a center field single.
Lipscomb responded in the second inning with two runs, but the Panthers extended their lead by five in the bottom of the inning. Catherine Lee hit a home run over the center field fence, driving in three runs. Roles doubled to left field and allowed pinch runner Lauren Fetters to cross the plate. Kallatsa again brought in two RBI off of a single to right field for the final two runs of the inning.
Lipscomb tried again in the fourth inning and put four runs on the board. Right fielder Courtney Billington doubled to right field and brought in the first run. Left fielder Caroline Mason doubled to left field and brought in the next two runs for the Lady Bisons. The final run came when catcher Mollie Campbell singled to left field and short stop Abbie Keese crossed the plate.
The Panthers added the 11th and final run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning when freshman Sparks singled up the center and Cunningham crossed the plate off of an error by the Lipscomb pitcher.
In the championship game, the Lady Bisons scored three runs before the Panthers were able to respond in the fifth inning. Natasha Berry hit a lead-off double, which allowed her to cross the plate off of a Lee single to right field. The Lady Bisons added the fourth and final run in the sixth inning.
The Panthers (4-6) return to action on Wednesday, February 25th at 3 p.m. for a doubleheader against the Eagles from Georgia Southern. Livestats will be available at www.georgiastatesports.com.
