WOODSTOCK, Ga. -- The Georgia State softball team split a pair of games on day one of the Buzz Classic, beating Miami (OH), 4-2, before falling to UAB, 3-0.
The Panthers (8-11) return to action on Saturday when they meet Western Kentucky at 11 a.m. and Evansville at 1 p.m.
Game One - Georgia State 4, Miami (OH) 2
Georgia State freshman Jessica Clifton celebrated her 19th birthday in grand fashion on Friday, bashing a three-run home run in the second inning to help lead the Panthers to a 4-2 victory over Miami (OH) in game one of the Buzz Classic in Woodstock, Ga.
After showing the ability to hit starting pitcher Paige Myers early with a pair of singles in the first, Audrey Mason opened the second inning with a walk and stolen base. After Tiffany Bess hit a hard single to the pitcher to advance Mason to third, the Kennesaw, Ga., native got thrown out at home after trying to advance on a Bess' stolen base. Catcher Maddy Stanton walked to put runners at first and second with third baseman Chelsea Sparks up to bat. The slap hitting Palmetto, Ga., product hit a bunt single in between the circle and home plate that catcher Jenna McGivney threw too high for the first baseman to handle, allowing Bess to score from third after advancing on the single. Clifton promptly stepped up and smashed a 3-2 pitch over the centerfield wall, pushing GSU's lead to 4-0.
On the day Clifton was 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBI.
Starting pitcher Alana Thomas (2-4) earned the win going 4.1 innings allowing a run on four hits while striking out three.
The Redhawks picked up their first run of the game in the fifth on a solo homer by McGivney cutting the lead to 4-1. A pair of singles ended the day for Thomas, who was relieved by Erin Collins. After hitting a batter, Collins got out of the inning on a double play as first baseman Lauren Jones picked a shot out of the air and tagged first.
The Lawrenceville, Ga., native also maneuvered out of trouble in the top of the seventh to earn her first save of the season. A fielding error by Paige Nowacki gave the Redbirds runners at first and second with no outs. A single scored one run to push the score to 4-2 before the first out was recorded when the batter was out of the batter's box at the time she hit the ball. After a walk loaded the bases, a line out double play to second baseman Whitney Phillips ended the contest.
Collins went 2.2 innings pitched, allowing a pair of hits and an unearned run.
Game Two - UAB 3, Georgia State 0
UAB pitcher's Lauren Webster and Leigh Streetman combined for a three-hit shutout as the Blazers defeated GSU, 3-0, in game two.
A three-run third inning for the Blazers proved to be the winning margain. UAB notched four singles in the inning and recorded a double steal with Kelli Van Kirk stealing home to give the Blazers a 2-0 lead.
Starting pitcher McCall Langford (2-5) had a tough outing allowing four hits and three runs in three innings of work. Collins again entered in relief and went three innings, allowing no hits, while striking out three.
The Panthers only put together three hits in the game with shortstop Brenna Morrissey, third baseman Chelsea Sparks and rightfielder Emily Whitaker all producing hits. GSU only had runners at second three times in the contest.
