Cullowhee, N.C. (March 11, 2009) The Georgia State University softball team defeated the Western Carolina Catamounts 5-0 and 7-3 on Wednesday's doubleheader in North Carolina. State's winning streak grows to five games in which they have outscored opponents 26-6.
Natasha Berry connected with a two-run drive to right center field in game one and a home run in game two to put Georgia State (11-8) ahead of Western Carolina (5-12), helping the Panthers sweep the pair of games from the Catamounts.
Outfielder Berry finished the day batting 4-for-7 with one home run and four runs batted in. That is Berry's first home run of the season and her fifth career.
Sophomore Catherine Lee went 4-for-8 while smashing a home run, a double to right center, and driving in three RBI. Lee now has recorded four home runs on the season, and 21 career. The catcher from Covington, Ga. also leads the team with second baseman Rebecca Roles with four doubles each so far this season.
Freshman Alana Thomas (3-3) tossed the complete game one for State, allowing four hits and registering her first career shutout.
Freshman hurler Erin Collins (3-1) pitched the second complete game against the Catamounts. Collins allowed six hits while facing 26 batters.
The Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Lee hit a single to right center, allowing outfielder Holly Willis to cross the plate.
State put up three more runs in the fifth when junior Lily Skelton grounded out the short stop and third baseman Danielle Roddy crossed home plate. Senior Berry then came up after sophomore Rebecca Roles was hit by a pitch, loading the bases, and knocked a single to right center field, which advanced Lee and Willis home.
The Panthers put up their final run in the seventh when Skelton singled to left field following Lee's double to right center and gave Lee the time to make it home.
The Catamounts got their bats swinging in game two and put up two runs in the first inning. Georgia State did not let them have the lead for long and recorded four runs in their second turn at bat.
Sophomore Lauren Jones doubled to left field, allowing Roles and shortstop Rachel Cunningham to cross home plate. After outfielder Tiffany Bess singled, allowing Jones to score off a right fielder error, Roddy stepped up and singled up the middle as Bess also made it around the bases.
State put up another run in the sixth inning when Berry homered to left field.
State recorded its final two runs in the seventh when Lee knocked her fourth home run of the season over the center field wall and brought herself and Willis, who previously singled down the left field line, across the plate.
Georgia State takes a few days off before swinging back into action on Sunday, March 15th for a 2 p.m. doubleheader at Georgia Tech. Livestats will be available at www.georgiastatesports.com and the game recap will be online following the game.
