ATLANTA – In the final game of the series, the Georgia State softball team was defeated by No. 20 UL Lafayette 13-0 in five innings on Sunday, March 23 at Bob Heck Field. The Panthers fall to 13-16 overall and 0-3 in the Sun Belt. The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns improve to 22-6-1 this season and 3-0 in conference play.
UL-L opened the game with a walk and a single to left. Then catcher Lexie Elkins hit a two-RBI double down the left field line to give UL Lafayette the lead. First baseman Kelsey Vincent then doubled to right center to score Elkins. Kaitlyn Medlam replaced GSU started Katie Worley in the circle and she retired the next three batters to end the top of the first.
In the bottom of the first, second baseman Kensey Caldwell reached with a one-out single deep in the hole between third base and shortstop. After a lineout, catcher Callie Alford doubled off the top of the left field wall to put Panthers on second and third. However, UL-L starter Christina Hamilton recorded a strikeout to end the threat and protect the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns' 3-0 lead after one complete.
UL Lafayette center fielder Haley Hayden hit a two run home run in the top of the second to extend UL-L's lead to 5-0 after two innings. In the top of the third, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns used RBI singles by designated player Sara Corbello and left fielder Shelbi Landry to push their advantage to 7-0. GSU drew two walks in the bottom of the frame but both runners were stranded when a pop-up down the right field line ended the inning with UL-L leading 7-0 after three.
In the top of the fourth, Corbello hit a three-run home run to right center to give UL Lafayette a 10-0 lead after four complete. The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns hit two more home runs in the top of the fifth to extend their lead to 13-0 heading into the bottom half of the inning. After a foul pop fly opened the bottom of the fifth, right fielder Jessica Clifton singled to short and shortstop Taylor Anderson singled to left to put Panthers on first and second. Both runners advanced on a passed ball but were stranded on second and third when UL-L reliever Jordan Wallace closed the game with back-to-back strikeouts.
GSU's Worley falls to 0-3 after the loss. Kaitlyn Medlam pitched 2.2 innings in relief. Taylor Thorpe and Eron Milton also pitched for the Panthers.
UL Lafayette's Hamilton scattered two hits over four scoreless innings to earn the win. She improves to 11-1 this season. Jordan Wallace pitched one inning in relief.
The Panthers return to action on Tuesday, March 25 when they travel Kennesaw, Ga. to face in-state rival Kennesaw State for the third and final time this season. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. GSU will then host No. 21Auburn at Bob Heck Field on Wednesday, March 26 starting at 5 p.m.
