AUDIO INTERVIEW
Junior Pitcher Heather Lowry
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Georgia State softball team used strong defense and timely hitting to sweep Furman in a Wednesday doubleheader, 6-4 and 3-2.
Alana Thomas (8-2) pitched a complete game for the Panthers, allowing four runs on nine hits, while walking only one in game one. Lowry (4-4) allowed two runs on three hits in game two, while striking out a season-high eight batters. Senior Rachel Cunningham went 4-for-7 on the day. Georgia State tallied two more double plays on the day to up its NCAA-leading total to 23.
The Panthers (26-11) return to action this weekend as they travel to Delaware for a three-game series. Furman falls to 12-15.
Game One - Georgia State 6, Furman 4
Georgia State pitcher Alana Thomas pitched a complete game and first baseman Lauren Jones produced two RBI as Georgia State slipped by Furman, 6-4, in game one of a doubleheader. Game two began at 5:15 p.m.
GSU scored five runs in the fourth to overcome a 2-1 deficit and take a 6-2 lead. Rebecca Roles got plucked by pitcher Hannah Bradley to open the inning. After Rachel Cunningham reached on an error by the second baseman and Emily Whitaker walked, Lily Skelton got hit by a pitch, her 12th on the season, scoring Roles. After an out, freshman Whitney Phillips, who hadn't played since Feb. 20 after breaking fingers on her right hand, singled to first base, scoring Whitaker. Lauren Jones singled up the middle, scoring Roddy and Phillips, to end the scoring.
The Paladins picked up a run in the fourth after Alyssa Williams grounded out, scoring Lana Mackey. Furman closed out the scoring in the seventh picking up a run on Jessie Homesley groundout, which scored Bradley, making the final score, 6-4.
Alana Thomas (8-2) pitched a complete game for the Panthers, allowing four runs on nine hits, while walking only one. Suffering the loss for the Paladins was Bradley (0-4), who allowed six runs (one earned) on seven hits.
Leading the way for the Panthers was Jones, who had a pair of RBI. Cunningham and Roles each had two hits, while Phillips was 1-for-1 with a RBI and a run scored. Roddy tied the GSU career record for runs scored (151) in the fourth inning. In a losing effort, Stephanie Field was 3-for-4.
The Paladins got on the board early scoring a pair of runs in the first inning. Morgan Hughey doubled to right center scoring Katie Michaels and Jessie Homesley. GSU is now 5-7 on the year when trailing after the first inning.
The Panthers answered producing a run in the second on a Whitaker groundout that scored Roles. Roles got into scoring position after she singled and Cunningham doubled to left center.
Game Two - Georgia State 3, Furman 2
Junior Heather Lowry (4-4) pitched six innings allowing two runs on three hits and the Panthers weathered a seventh-inning Paladin rally to win game two, 3-2. The Riverdale, Ga., native struckout a season-high eight batters.
After three scoreless innings, the Panthers got the bats going in the fourth, scoring a pair of runs to give GSU a 2-0 lead. After Skelton was hit by a pitch, Phillips singled through the left side. A Roles sacrifice bunt advanced the runners and a Cunningham' single to left field, scored pinch runner Elizabeth Thomas. A Paige Nowacki sacrifice fly scored Phillips.
The Panthers added an insurance run in the seventh when Skelton singled to left field, scoring Audrey Mason.
The Paladins made a rally in the bottom of the seventh. After Lowry gave up a single and a walk, relief pitcher McCall Langford allowed a pair of runs to score before closing out the game. The save was Langford's fourth on the season.
Pacing the Panthers was Cunningham, who went 2-for-3 with a RBI. Skelton, Phillips and Roles had the other Panther hits.
