ATLANTA – Behind a six run fifth inning, the Georgia State softball team came from behind to defeat in-state rival Kennesaw State 7-5. Mallory Koepke hit a two-run home run while MeQuilla Franklin hit a triple, a grand slam and drove in five runs to lead the Panthers to the win. GSU improves to 13-12 this season.
The Owls grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when third baseman Kara Chambers scored on a dropped third strike by Georgia State catcher Callie Alford. In the bottom of the frame, GSU shortstop Taylor Anderson reached with a leadoff walk and advanced to second on Koepke's sacrifice bunt. First baseman Lauren Coleman then walked to put two Panthers on base but both were stranded.
In the top of the second, Kennesaw State doubled their lead when first baseman Megan Veringa hit a solo homer to right center. The Panthers went three up and three down in the bottom of the second and the Owls led 2-0 after two complete.
After two quick outs in the top of the third, Kennesaw State drew two straight walks and the runners advanced to second and third on a passed ball. Veringa then singled up the middle to drive in a run and extend the Owls' lead to 3-0. Georgia State started the bottom of the inning with back-to-back singles but Kennesaw State escaped the jam to protect its 3-0 lead after three innings.
In the top of the fourth, Missy Perkowski singled to start the inning. She advanced to second on a groundout and reached third on a passed ball. Second baseman Taylor Denton then singled up the middle to plate Perkowski and give the Owls a 4-0 advantage. For GSU, Alford opened the bottom of the frame with a double to left center. After a groundout and strikeout, she scored on Franklin's triple down the right field line to cut Kennesaw State's lead to 4-1.
The Panthers held the Owls scoreless in the top of the fifth. Left fielder Jessica Clifton opened the bottom of the frame with a singled to center and advanced to second on a fielding error. After a strikeout, Koepke bombed a two-run homer to left center to cut the Owls' lead to 4-3. Then Coleman walked and was subbed for pinch runner Morgan Brown. Brown advanced to second on a passed ball and Alford walked to Panthers on first and second. Right fielder Megan Litumbe then singled through the right side but Alford was tagged out after Brown was caught in a rundown while trying to score. Designated player Taylor Thorpe was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Then Franklin crushed a grand slam to straightaway center to give the Panthers a 7-4 lead after five complete.
Kennesaw State scored one in the top of the sixth on a walk and two singles then retired Georgia State in order to make it a 7-5 game after six innings. In the top of the seventh, GSU relief pitcher Katie Worley struck out Owl catcher Angie Dascoli. Then designated player Courtney Sutter doubled to left center and Veringa walked to bring the winning run to the plate. However, Worley retired the next two batters to record the save and give GSU the 7-5 win.
Eron Milton earned the win to improve to 3-1 after pitching 2.2 innings in relief. She allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits. Starter Katie Worley went 2.2 innings and allowed three runs on three hits. Worley pitched 1.2 innings and allowed no runs on two hits to earn her first save of the season.
Paige Matthews falls to 2-5 this season after getting the loss. She pitched four innings and allowed just one run before returning to the circle in the bottom of the fifth. She then gave up three runs on Franklin's grand slam to give up the lead.
The Panthers return to the field tomorrow to face No. 9 Alabama in Tuscaloosa at 7 p.m.
