Hempstead, N.Y.--Lauren Jones belted a three-run home run in the sixth inning to lift Georgia State to a 4-2 victory over Hofstra and force a second and deciding game for the Colonial Athletic Association Championship Friday afternoon.

Not only was Jones' homer the game-winner, but it was the 31st of her career to tie the Georgia State career record, orginally set by Corrie Roberts (1999-02).

Georgia State trailed 2-0 in the sixth inning when Jessica Clifton delivered a two-out single that scored Whitney Phillips and cut the Panthers' deficit in half. An infield single by Brenna Morrissey gave GSU runners at first and second and chased Hofstra starter Olivia Galati (29-8). Then Jones, the senior from Stockbridge, Ga., greeted reliever Erin Wade with the three-run blast to left field.

McCall Langford retired the Pride in order in the seventh to seal the win. Langford (15-10) earned the victory with three innings in relief of starter Alana Thomas.

The GSU win snapped a seven-game losing streak to Hofstra, which has dominated the CAA by winning the conference title eight of the last nine years.

Georgia State and Hofstra will play again at approximately 2:30 p.m. at the Hofstra Softball Stadium, with the winner capturing the CAA title and an automatic berth into the NCAA Regionals. GSU's only appearance was in 1994.

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