Hempstead, N.Y.--Led by Lauren Jones at the plate and Alana Thomas in the circle, Georgia State defeated Hofstra (40-13) twice, 4-2 and 2-0, Friday at the Hofstra Softball Stadium to capture the first Colonial Athletic Association softball title in school history. The Panthers (36-23) now head to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1994 and just the second time ever.
Jones, the senior first baseman from Stockbridge, Ga., belted a three-run homer in the sixth inning of game one to help the Panthers erase a 2-1 deficit and force the decisive second game, in which she broke a scoreless tie with a run-scoring single in the sixth inning. Thomas (9-9), a junior from Athens, Ga., started both games in the circle, and after allowing just one run in four innings of the first game, she tossed a complete-game, three-hit shutout in the championship game.
Thomas was named Most Outstanding Performer of the tournament. Although she was credited with only one victory, Thomas was masterful throughout, allowing only one earned run in 18-1/3 innings over three games. In Thursday's 1-0 loss to Hofstra in the second round, she allowed just three hits and shut out the Pride until allowing an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
"We all had a feeling before the year began that it could be a special one," said Thomas. "We had faith in each other throughout the year and it was a complete team effort. We always say 'big team, little me' and that was evident this week."
Jones, pitcher McCall Langford, who earned two victories, and outfielder Emily Whitaker also made the All-Tournament team.
"The team has had a 'refuse to lose' attitude all year long, along with enthusiasm and a willingness to work hard," said interim head coach Roger Kincaid. "Today's effort was a microcosm of the season as a whole. The energy in the dugout today was out of this world and was a key part of us being able to win two games against a team of Hofstra's caliber."
"Alana really grew up this week as a pitcher," said Kincaid. "She pitched the best of her GSU career in the most important games of the season. She kept us in the games inning after inning until our bats were able to find a way to scrap out victories."
"Lauren never gets down on herself at the plate," said Kincaid. "When we needed a key play, just like all year, she came through for us. She is a special player and a team leader."
In winning the CAA Championship, Georgia State overcame a remarkable run of dominance by Hofstra, which has won the league title eight of the nine years since the CAA began softball play in 2002. The Pride had defeated GSU seven straight games entering today, including a 1-0 victory in Thursday's second round game and a three-game sweep of the regular season series, played last weekend at Hofstra.
GSU also snapped the longest home winning streak in the country, which sat at 30 before yesterday's events. This season the Pride was 20-0.
Although the title is GSU's first since joining the CAA, the Panthers have won five previous conference championships in the New South Women's Athletic Conference and Trans America Athletic Conference. However, only one of those titles (1994) came with an automatic NCAA bid.
NCAA pairings will be announced Sunday night at 10 p.m.
GAME ONE: Georgia State 4, Hofstra 2
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 on an 0-1 pitch.
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 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. The victory also snapped Hofstra's NCAA-best 30-game home winning streak.
GAME TWO: Georgia State 2, Hofstra 0
Thomas pitched a three-hit shutout and Jones broke a scoreless tie with a run-scoring single in the bottom of the sixth inning as Georgia State defeated Hofstra, 2-0, to claim the first Colonial Athletic Association championship in school history.
Thomas, a junior right-hander from Athens, Ga., needed just 90 pitches to shut down the Pride. She struck out two, walked one and hit one batter.
In the bottom of the sixth inning of a scoreless game, the GSU rally began with one out with back-to-back singles by Megan Kallatsa and Clifton. After a force at third, Jones delivered a single down the left field line, bringing home Clifton with the go-ahead run. Paige Nowacki followed with an RBI-single to add an insurance run.
