TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - GSU's seventh inning rally fell short as Alabama defeated the Georgia State softball team 3-1 at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Panthers fall to 13-13 this season. Shortstop Taylor Anderson went 1-for-2 and scored while first baseman Lauren Coleman had an RBI single.
After both teams went three up and three down in the first inning, third baseman MeQuilla Franklin drew a two-out walk in the top of the second to give GSU its first baserunner. Franklin then stole second but was stranded when second baseman Kensey Caldwell lined out to end the threat.
In the bottom of the second, Alabama first baseman Jadyn Spencer reached with a lead-off walk but was tagged out on third baseman Peyton Grantham's line drive to first. After a single, a strikeout ended the inning with the game still tied 0-0.
Georgia State was held scoreless in the top of the third and the Crimson Tide grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the inning. Center fielder Haylie McCleney singled up the middle and then scored on Andrea Hawkins triple to left field. A pop-fly ended the inning with Alabama leading 1-0 after three complete.
In the top of the fourth, Coleman drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second on catcher Callie Alford's bunt single. However, Crimson Tide starting pitcher Leslie Jury recorded three straight strikeouts to end the treat. Georgia State starter Eron Milton retired three of the first four batters in the bottom of the frame to keep Alabama's lead at 1-0 after four innings.
Center fielder Ashley Christy opened the fifth inning with a walk and then stole second. After a strikeout, Anderson singled to left to advance Christy and put Panthers on first and third. However, a strikeout and line out stranded the runners and ended the threat.
Crimson Tide catcher Chaunsey Bell led off the bottom of the fifth with a single. Danielle Richard then subbed to run for Bell and advanced to second on left fielder Chandler Dare's sacrifice bunt. After Kaitlyn Medlam replaced Milton in the circle for GSU, McCleney hit a two-run homer to right to extend Alabama's lead to 3-0 after five complete.
In the top of the sixth, Alford singled through the right side to start the rally. Right fielder Megan Litumbe then singled to center to put Panthers at first and second. After a strikeout, Caldwell walked to load the bases. Sydney Littlejohn then replaced Jury in the circle for the Crimson Tide. She retired the next two batters to escape the jam and protect Alabama's 3-0 lead.
After a lead-off single, Milton retired the next three batters to end the sixth inning with the Crimson Tide still leading 3-0. In the top of the seventh, Jaclyn Traina enter the game to pitch for Alabama. GSU's Anderson opened the inning with a walk. She advanced to second on an illegal pitch and reached third on a foul popup to right. Coleman then singled back to the pitcher to plate Anderson and make it a 3-1 game. However, a groundout and strikeout ended the game and gave the Crimson Tide the 3-1 win.
GSU starter Eron Milton falls to 3-2 after the loss. She pitched 4.1 innings and allowed two runs on five hits. Kaitlyn Medlam pitched 1.2 innings in relief and she gave up one run on two hits.
Alabama starter Leslie Jury earned the victory to improve to 11-2 this season. She scattered four hits over 5.1 scoreless innings. Jaclyn Traina earned her first save of the season after pitching the seventh. She allowed one run on one hit.
The Panthers return to the field Saturday when they host No. 20 UL Lafayette in GSU's first Sun Belt Conference series. The teams will play a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday and a single game on Sunday. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.
