PANTHERSVILLE, Ga. — Playing the Phyllis Rafter Memorial tournament at their home field because of weather relocation, Georgia State (5-6) dropped a pair of close contests to Northern Colorado and Akron on Saturday afternoon at the Heck Softball Complex.

Game 1: Northern Colorado 8, GSU 7

The Panthers' late inning rally fell just short as Georgia State lost to Northern Colorado 8-7. MeQuilla Franklin hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to pull GSU within one run, but the Panthers stranded the bases loaded to end the game.

After Northern Colorado took an early 2-0 lead, Lauren Coleman tied the game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning. The Bears then retook the lead with two more runs in the second.

Georgia State then scored a trio of runs in the fourth inning. Taylor Anderson had a two-RBI triple and Franklin's bunt single scored Anderson from third. Jessica Clifton then hit a solo homerun to give the Panthers a 6-4 lead.

Coleman, Anderson and Franklin each had a pair of RBI for the Panthers. Clifton had a pair of hits and Audrey Mason had a double in the seveth.

Working out of the bullpen, Kaitlyn Medlam surrendered a sixth inning grand slam to turn the lead back over to Northern Colorado. Starter Katie Worley suffered the loss after going 5.1 innings and allowing seven runs. Worley struck out five Bear batters.

Game 2: Akron 2, GSU 0

Georgia State was shutout out for only the second time on the season as they could not manage to score in a 2-0 loss to Akron.

A two-run home run by Akron first baseman Rachael Ratcliffe proved to be the difference in the ballgame as neither team could manage much offense, combining for only eight hits.

Georgia State outhit the Zips 5-3, but the Panthers stranded seven runners on base.

Medlam (4-3) turned in her third complete game of the season, but would suffer the loss. The junior allowed no walks and struck out a pair of batters.

In the sixth inning, Mason attempted to score from third base on a wild pitch, but the Akron catcher was able to collect the ball and apply the tag. That marks the first time a GSU base runner has been caught stealing in 23 attempts this season. Clifton successfully stole second earlier in the game.

Georgia State wraps up the Phyllis Rafter Memorial tournament with games against North Carolina State and Troy tomorrow at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. at the Heck Softball Complex.