Woodstock, Ga. (March 7, 2009) Georgia State won both its games Saturday with a solid 5-0 win over Bowling Green and a 3-2 win over Howard in the Buzz Classic.
Sophomore catcher Catherine Lee hit her second home run in as many days that helped lift the Panthers to victory over the Bowling Green Falcons.
First baseman Lauren Jones led the Panthers against the Falcons with two RBI while outfielder Holly Willis and Lee recorded one each.
Senior pitcher Madi Gore (4-4) pitched the full first game and registered her second shutout of the season. Gore only allowed three hits while striking out six.
Freshman hurler Alana Thomas (2-3) pitched the complete game two against Howard, picking up her second win of the season.
Shortstop Rachel Cunningham led the team in game two with the only two RBI. The five Panther hits came from five individual players: third baseman Danielle Roddy, outfielder Holly Willis, second baseman Rebecca Roles, Cunningham, and first baseman Megan Kallatsa.
Game one against Bowling Green remained scoreless until the sixth inning when Lee hit her second home run of the tournament, third on the season. Lee now has 20 career home runs and ranks fourth in Georgia State history.
The Panthers extended their lead after a single from junior Cunningham and two consecutive Panther walks. With the bases loaded, sophomore Jones stepped up and knocked a double to the far left field line and allowed pinch runner Lauren Fetters and Cunningham to reach home plate.
Outfielder Willis kept the momentum going with a single hit to right field that brought home senior Natasha Berry.
Lauren Jones scored the fifth and final Panther run off of a pass ball by Falcons catcher Katelynn Boso.
The second game included another big 6th inning as the Panthers got their bats swinging and put all three runs on the board in that inning.
Willis started the inning with a bunt single and advanced to second off a sacrifice fly from Lee. Junior Lily Skelton reached base from a right field error which allowed Willis to reach third. Willis crossed the plate off of an error by Howard third baseman. Sophomore Roles knocked in a single and was able to advance to second on the throw while knocking in two RBI.
Georgia State, now 8-8, completes the Buzz Classic with a Sunday 12 p.m. game against Winthrop from the Big South Conference.
