Softball Sweeps Doubleheader in Jacksonville, Ala.

Softball Robert Carnes/Sports Communications

Softball Sweeps Doubleheader in Jacksonville, Ala.

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — Georgia State softball (18-5) won both sides of a doubleheader against Jacksonville State (4-14) in the Panthers' first two games outside the state of Georgia in 2012.

Game 1: GSU 4, JSU 2

Alana Thomas earned her sixth win of the season and Kaitlyn Medlam picked up her third save of the season in the first game of the doubleheader.

The Panthers' four runs came on seven hits and four walks. Jessica Clifton had a pair of singles, including one that scored a run in the top of the fourth inning.

Jacksonville State scored first on a bases loaded single in the bottom of the second inning, but the defense was able to strand the bases loaded and keep the JSU lead to 1-0.

Georgia State answered with three runs in the top half of the third inning. Lauren Coleman had an RBI double, Paige Nowacki had a two RBI single to score Coleman and Brenna Morrissey, who singled to reach base. Whitney Phillips and Callie Alford also walked in the inning.

Clifton's RBI single in the fourth scored Phillips from second base to bring the Panther run total to four.

The Gamecocks threatened again with bases loaded in the bottom of the third inning. But the GSU defense was able to strand three more runners. Jacksonville State was able to push across another run in the fifth on a hit and two Panther defensive errors.

Game 2: GSU 5, JSU 3

Whitney Phillips doubled to center to score pinch hitter Christina Reed from third base to break a 3-3 tie in the top half of the sixth inning.

Both Reed and Phillips had successful steals of third base in the inning. Maddy Stanton also singled to drive in Phillips and extend the Panthers lead to 5-3.

Kaitlyn Medlam earned the win, her sixth of the season, after entering the tie ball game in the fourth inning. The sophomore picked up three strike outs and eclipsed the 50 strikeout mark already this season.

Georgia State was actually out hit in the contest, scoring their five runs on as many hits, while the Gamecocks managed only three runs on their seven hits. GSU took advantage of five walks in the game, while only allowing two base on balls to JSU.

The Panthers started the game by scoring three runs on only one hit, capitalizing on three walks and an error. Whitney Phillips had a single in the inning to bring home Paige Nowacki, but Callie Alford was thrown out at the plate by the right fielder to end the frame.

Jacksonville State scored two in the second and one in the third to tie the game at three. The score stayed knotted at three until GSU broke it open with two runs in the sixth.

Starter McCall Langford lasted only 1.2 innings before giving way to reliever Erin Collins in the second inning. Collins also threw 1.2 innings, allowing another hit on four hits.

Georgia State returns home Sun, March 11 for a doubleheader against in-state rival Mercer. The first game is set to begin at the Robert E. Heck Softball Complex at 1:00 p.m.

www.GeorgiaStateSports.com

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