BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Georgia State softball team scored a single run in each of the first three innings and pitcher McCall Langford hurled a two hitter as the Panthers defeated Samford, 3-1, in a Wednesday non-conference tilt in Birmingham, Ala. 

GSU got on the board early as Brenna Morrissey led off the game with a single. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Whitney Phillips and moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a fielder's choice by Jessica Clifton.

The Panthers picked up their second run of the game on Maddy Stanton's first career homer. Stanton worked the count, fouling off several pitches before taking a 3-2 pitch and smacking it just inside the left field foul pole.

Run number three came on a walk after Lauren Jones notched a strong at-bat with the bases loaded. The bases were loaded after Morrissey reached on an error and Phillips and Clifton singled. 

In picking up her fourth win of the season, Langford (4-7) went five innings, allowing one run on a wild pitch and two hits while striking out six and walking two. She lowered her ERA to 2.26. Reliever Erin Collins entered the contest in the sixth inning and earned her CAA-leading second save of the season by allowing only one hit in two innings. GSU pitchers forced eight ground ball outs on the day. 

Langford manuevered out of a tough fifth inning. With the bases loaded, a wild pitch scored one. However a key strikeout by the LaGrange, Ga., native and a remarkable over-the-shoulder leaping catch by Clifton in center field ended the threat.

Leading the way for GSU at the plate was Phillips, who notched a pair of hits including a double. Morrissey had a hit and scored a pair of runs.

The Panthers will play at Kennesaw State Friday in a doubleheader at Bailey Park that begins at 5 p.m. This doubleheader replaces the game with the Owls that was scheduled for Wednesday, March 23. The doubleheader will be available via KSU's live stats. A link will be available on GeorgiaStateSports.com.

--30--