CLEARWATER, Fla. – Behind a five-run fifth inning, the Georgia State softball team defeated Western Michigan 6-1 in the Panthers' final game of the USF Under Armour Invitational. GSU improves to 11-6 this season after going 4-1 over the weekend.
The Broncos were held scoreless in the top of the first inning. In the bottom half, Taylor Anderson led off with a single to left and advanced to second on a groundout. Lauren Coleman then singled up the middle to score Anderson and give Georgia State a 1-0 lead after one.
After Western Michigan went three up and three down in the top of the second, the Panthers started the bottom of the frame with a single by MeQuilla Franklin and Jessica Clifton was hit by a pitch. However, GSU was unable to extend its lead and stranded two runners.
The Broncos went three up and three down in the third and fourth innings and Georgia State was unable to score despite starting both innings with a lead-off single. In the top of the fifth, Western Michigan's Taylor Sanicki hit a two-out home run to left to tie the game 1-1.
Georgia State responded with five runs of its own in the bottom of the fifth to reclaim the lead. Morgan Brown started the rally with a triple to left center. Anderson then singled through the right side to score Brown and help GSU retake the lead. Anderson advanced to second on Ashley Christy's sacrifice bunt and scored on Coleman's double to left center. After a groundout, Callie Alford singled through the right side and advanced to put Panthers on second and third. Kensey Caldwell then doubled to left to score Coleman and Alford. Franklin capped the inning with a single through he left side to plate Caldwell and give Georgia State a 6-1 lead after five complete.
After a scoreless sixth, Broncos' lead-off hitter Jenny Rohn reached on an error by Coleman in the top of the seventh. Caity Pixley then walked to put runners at first and second. Taylor Thorpe replaced Kaitlyn Medlam in the circle for GSU. Thorpe then retired the next three batter with a pop-fly, a strike out and a groundout to clinch the win for the Panthers.
Medlam improves to 7-3 with the win. She pitched six innings and allowed one run on four hits. Thorpe pitched one perfect inning in relief. Western Michigan's Allyson Kus falls to 6-5 after the loss.
Coleman led the way with a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate, including two RBI and one run scored. Anderson recorded two hits, scored twice and drove in one. Caldwell and Franklin also finished with two hits each.
Panthers will return to action on Sunday, March 9 to face Presbyterian for a doubleheader in Clinton, S.C. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Teams were originally scheduled to play on Feb. 12 but game was cancelled due to inclement weather.
