NEWARK, Del. -- Delaware scored three runs each in the second and fourth innings and three Georgia State rallies fell short as the Blue Hens defeated the Panthers, 7-6, to take the weekend series, 2-1.
After a three-run homer by Michelle Grap in the fourth gave Delaware (12-21-1, 3-6 CAA) a 7-3 lead, the Panthers rallied scoring two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh before the final out ended the game for GSU. In the fifth, after a pair of singles by Whitney Phillips and Cassie Boese, freshman Audrey Mason delivered her second two-RBI single of the contest, plating Phillips and Boese. In the seventh, a Phillips' triple and Danielle Roddy single scored one run before a pair of outs ended the contest.
The Panthers (27-13, 6-3 CAA) return to action next weekend when they host CAA-foe James Madison in a three-game set. Saturday will be a doubleheader beginning at noon, while Sunday will be a single game also at noon.
Leading the way for GSU, was Mason, who went 2-for-4 with four RBI. Phillips went 2-for-3 with a triple, increasing her CAA-leading total to four. Boese and Roddy each had a pair of hits and an RBI. Grap had three RBI for Delaware, while Jenny Richards went 3-for-3. The Georgia State defense had three errors that proved costly leading to four Delaware runs.
Alana Thomas (8-3) gave up seven runs (three earned) on nine hits in four innings of action to suffer the loss. In relief, Erin Collins pitched two innings of one-hit ball. Amanda Stacevicz (7-9) picked up the win despite allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits in five innings of action. Alexa Baldasare (2) earned the save.
Delaware jumped on top of the Panthers early scoring three runs in the second on a pair of errors by GSU infielders. After a leadoff single by Cecile Egan, an error by third baseman Roddy allowed Shanette White to advance to first safely. After a fielder's choice bunt allowed the bases to be loaded, an error by second baseman Rebecca Roles brought in the first run of the game. A single by Richards brought in a second run and a bases loaded hit batsman allowed the final run of the inning.
GSU rallied to tie the game at three in the third. After right fielder Heather Lowry reached first on a fielding error by the shortstop, Roddy knocked a double to right center that advanced Lowry to third. A single by Boese drove in one run, and a single by Mason scored both Roddy and Boese to end the inning.
A single run crossed the plate for the Blue Hens in the third on a Lindsay Novak RBI single that gave Delaware a 4-3 lead.
