CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The Georgia State softball team split a doubleheader with the Chattanooga Mocs, winning game one 2-1 before falling 4-1 in the nightcap Thursday at Jim Frost Stadium.
GSU (16-16, 2-1 CAA) knocked off the Mocs (22-8, 5-0 SoCon) in game one after a potential game-winning homer from Michelle Fuzzard was nullified because she had not been re-entered by head coach Frank Reid. Senior Lauren Jones had the game-winning RBI in the top of the eighth inning for the Panthers.
In game two, UTC limited GSU to five hits to claim the victory.
Sophomore Paige Nowacki had three hits and a homer on the day to lead GSU.
The Panthers host UNC Wilmington this weekend in the first CAA series of the season at Bob Heck Field. Saturday will offer a doubleheader beginning at noon, while Sunday's finale will also begin at noon. Fans can follow along via live stats. Sunday will be cupcake decorating day where fans will be able to create their favorite cupcake while cheering on the Panthers.
GAME ONE - Georgia State 2, Chattanooga 1
A three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth for Chattanooga's Michelle Fuzzard was nullified because she was not re-entered into the lineup, allowing GSU to earn a 2-1 victory in game one of a doubleheader at Jim Frost Stadium.
With two outs and runners on second and third, Fuzzard stepped up as the designated player. She was lifted for a pinch runner in the sixth inning and came back in to try and produce a UTC victory. She crushed a ball over the center field fence that appeared to be the gamewinner. However, as Fuzzard was heading towards home plate, interim head coach Roger Kincaid walked out and informed the umpires that Fuzzard was never re-entered, thus making her out number three and awarding GSU the 2-1 victory.
The Panthers took the lead in the top of the eighth when senior Lauren Jones produced the game-winning RBI on a double to right field that scored freshman Jessica Clifton.
Strong pitching for GSU limited a potent Mocs offensive attack to only four hits and one run. Reliever Erin Collins (2-1) picked up the win with three innings of scoreless work. She allowed two hits while striking out two and walking one. Starter Alana Thomas pitched five strong innings, allowing five hits and one run. The Athens, Ga., native struck out two batters and didn't yield a walk.
Four UTC batters each had a hit for the Mocs. Relief pitcher Kandice Irwin (8-2) suffered the loss, giving up a run and two hits in three innings of work. Starter Fuzzard went five innings, giving up a run on two hits as well. She struck out three and walked two before being relieved by Irwin and moving to designated player.
The Mocs jumped on the board first in the second on a RBI single by Vivian Morimoto. The right fielder Audrey Mason scooped up the ball and gunned it to the catcher Maddy Stanton, but Tydingco just beat the tag at home for the first run of the game.
GSU tied the score up in the fourth inning on a solo homer over the left field fence by Paige Nowacki. It was the second of the season for the McDonough, Ga., product. Nowacki went 2-for-4 on the day to go along with a strong game in the field as she had seven assists and caught one lineout.
GAME TWO - Chattanooga 4, Georgia State 1
UTC's Nikki Waters (5-1) and Kandice Irwin (5) combined to allow only five GSU hits and one run as the Mocs claimed game two, 4-1.
The Mocs plated runs in the first, third and fifth innings. In the first Tiffany Baker singled down the right field line, scoring Lyndsey Stiles. In the third, Della Harrison's single plated Layne Rainey. UTC added a pair of insurance runs on a double by Kasey Tydingco in the sixth that scored Baker and Fuzzard.
GSU's best opportunity came in the sixth inning after Emily Althafer led off with a double. Junior Emily Whitaker knocked a single to score pinch runner Carrie Williams. Up came junior Megan Kallatsa who clocked a double down the right field line that put runners at second and third with no outs. That ended the night for Waters. Irwin came in and struck out her first two batters and then forced Clifton into a ground out to end the threat.
Stiles, Fuzzard and Morimoto all had two hits for the Mocs.
Leading the way for GSU was Whitaker, who drove in the Panthers' run. Kallatsa and Althafer each knocked doubles.
Langford (7-8) suffered the loss for GSU after going four innings, allowing two runs on six hits. Medlam went two innings, allowing two runs on three hits.
