ATLANTA -- A three-run fifth inning powered the Georgia State (19-16, 5-1 CAA) softball team to a 4-1 win on Sunday at Bob Heck Field to complete a series sweep over the UNC Wilmington Seahawks (8-28, 1-5 CAA). GSU is now 10-3 in its last 13 contests.
Tied at one a piece entering the fifth, the Panthers scored three largely on UNCW miscues to claim their first lead of the day. After a pair of singles by Megan Kallatsa and Whitney Phillips, a wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third. Lauren Jones hit a sac fly to score pinch runner Chelsea Sparks. After a pitching change, Phillips scored from third on a wild pitch. After Paige Nowacki singled and Jessica Clifton walked, Audrey Mason hit a single to left field, pushing Nowacki across home plate.
On the day Nowacki went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Mason was 2-for-2 with two RBI. For the week Nowacki batted .467 with two homers, three RBI and four runs scored.
Starter Alana Thomas went four innings, allowing an unearned run and three hits before being relieved in the fifth inning by Kaitlyn Medlam with the score tied at one. Medlam (5-1) picked up her fifth win of the season after going two innings, allowing only two hits. Closer Erin Collins picked up her sixth save of the season after allowing only a walk in the seventh inning.
The staff had to work out of trouble on multiple occasions as the Seahawks notched five hits on the day, while earning five walks. UNCW picked up the first run of the game in the second inning on an error by second baseman Cassie Boese. The error allowed Daniela Torres to score after reaching base on a walk. UNCW also had runners on second and third in the sixth when Medlam forced Caitlin Cavarra to ground out straight back to the circle for the easy out. The game ended as Megan Kallatsa scooped up a ball at third, tagged the base and was attempting to throw to first for the double play when Brittany Pierce slid into Kallatsa and was charged with interference, resulting in a game-ending double play.
GSU got on the board in the fourth inning on Mason's first RBI single of the game that scored senior Lauren Jones.
In the series, GSU outscored UNCW 11-2. Pitchers Alana Thomas, McCall Langford and Medlam all picked up wins while reliever Collins notched two saves and Medlam had one. When updated NCAA stats come out on Monday, Collins, the CAA leader, should be in the top three in the NCAA, while Medlam should also appear in the standings in the top 20.
GSU hosts Furman this Wednesday in a doubleheader in Panthersville. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. and can be followed via live stats.
