HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Trailing 3-0 after one, the Georgia State bats led by junior Lauren Jones exploded for four runs in the third inning and pitcher Alana Thomas allowed only three hits and no runs after the first, as the Panthers won 4-3 to advance to tomorrow's championship against the Hofstra Pride. GSU would have to beat Hofstra twice to win the title since the Pride is undefeated in the tournament thus far.
The Panthers improve to 37-18 on the year, while the Dukes conclude the season at 24-33. Tomorrow's championship game is set for 12 p.m., while a deciding game would be played 45 minutes after the first game concludes if GSU wins game one. The game will be available via livestats and through Hofstra's radio broadcast.
Trailing 3-0 heading into the third, the Panthers exploded for four runs. Rachel Cunningham and Rebecca Roles got the inning going as each knocked singles to the right side. After Lauren Fetters laid down a sacrifice bunt, Danielle Roddy singled to centerfield, scoring Cunningham. After Roddy stole second to put runners at second and third, Tiffany Bess singled to centerfield scoring Roles. After Bess stole second, Jones stepped up to the plate and promptly hit a double to right centerfield that scored Roddy and Bess, to put the Panthers up 4-3.
That was all the help Thomas (12-5) needed as she settled down after the first inning, allowing six hits and two earned runs in hurling the complete game. JMU pitcher Olivia McPherson (8-6) who shutdown the Panthers in yesterday's contest, was yanked after only 2.1 innings pitched after surrendering four runs on five hits. Cara Stecher closed out the remaining 4.2 innings, allowing only two hits.
GSU advances to the championship for the first time since 2007 when they lost to Hofstra, 3-1. In 2006, the Panthers were also topped by the Pride in the championship, 7-3. The 2006 edition was played in Atlanta at Bob Heck Field.
JMU jumped on the Panthers early scoring three runs in the first. After a walk and single to open the game, Lauren Jones committed her first error of the season, allowing Ashley Burnham to score. After an out, Caitlen Manning singled scoring Courtney Simons. A Katie Spitzer single scored Shannon Moxey to put the score at 3-0 before Thomas settled in.
