WOODSTOCK, Ga. — Georgia State softball (8-4) split two games to start the Phyllis Rafter Memorial softball tournament Friday afternoon.
The Panthers dropped the first contest 5-2 to Eastern Kentucky (4-2) before shutting-out Southeastern Louisiana (2-9) 12-0 to win the second game in five innings.
Game 1: GSU 2, EKU 5
A pair of two-run home runs by Eastern Kentucky in the fourth and sixth innings were the difference in the game. EKU scored first in the bottom of the first and threatened for more with runners at second and third with no outs. But GSU starter Kaitlyn Medlam induced a pair of ground-outs and a strikeout.
Medlam allowed three runs on five hits during her 5.0 innings, also striking out five. Erin Collins relieved her in the six inning and surrendered two more runs.
Collins also worked out of a jam in the fifth stranding runners at second and third base by inducing two ground outs and a strikeout.
Callie Alford started the fifth inning with a stand-up double down the left-field line. Alford advanced to third on an Audrey Mason single and came home on a throwing error by the catcher, who was attempting to throw out Mason stealing second.
Georgia State's second run came via a Paige Nowacki solo home run in the top of the seventh inning.
EKU starter Leanna Pittsenbarge pitched a complete game, allowing both Panther runs on six hits.
Game 2: GSU 12, SELU 0
The Panthers scored four in the first, three in the second, one in the third and four more in the fourth. Twelve total runs in the contest came on as many hits. GSU also produced the runs by drawing four base-on-balls and stealing three bases.
Freshmen Shannyn Palazzo and Taylor Scarpantonio supplied two RBI each to GSU's offensive barrage, while Brenna Morrissey and Lauren Coleman both notched two hits a piece.
Southeastern Lousisiana's starter Kenna Terry lasted through only 1.0 inning, but not before giving up six runs on seven hits, including four consecutive singles in the top of the first. The last six runs came off of reliever Kati Moorse, who also had five wild pitches.
The Lions threatened in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases with no outs. But Georgia State starting pitcher McCall Langford tight-roped out of the inning thanks to two line-outs and a strikeout.
Langford surrendered five hits in 4.0 innings with four strikeouts. Out of the bullpen, Emily Clay walked the bases loaded, but managed to work out of the inning with the shutout intact.
Georgia State begins the second day of competition in the Phyllis Rafter Memorial with a 10:30 a.m. game against Central Arkansas, followed by a game at 3:30 p.m. against Campbell.
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