TROY, Ala. – Behind a one-hit, complete-game win by senior Kaitlyn Medlam, the Georgia State softball team defeated Troy 6-1 to secure the Panthers first Sun Belt series victory. GSU is now 16-18 overall and 2-4 in conference play.
At the plate, the Panthers were led freshman Taylor Thorpe with three RBI on two singles and a bases-loaded walk. Senior MeQuilla Franklin drove in two runs with two sacrifice flies and freshman Kensey Caldwell finished with one RBI, one run scored, a double and two walks.
GSU shortstop Taylor Anderson opened the game with a lead-off single up the middle. After a pop fly and groundout, Anderson advanced to second on a wild pitch and catcher Callie Alford walked to put Panthers on first and second. Georgia State then grabbed the lead when second baseman Caldwell doubled to left to plate Anderson. GSU extended its lead to 3-0 on designated player Thorpe's two-RBI single.
In the bottom of the first, Troy's Taylor Smartt was hit by a pitch to reach safely with one out. After she advanced to second on a groundout, Amanda Winters was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Smartt then scored on Michelle Phelps single to left to make it a 3-1 Georgia State lead after one complete.
After a scoreless second, Alford and Caldwell drew back-to-back one-out walks and Thorpe singled to left to load the bases. MeQuilla Franklin then plated Alford with a sacrifice fly to left field to put GSU up 4-1. Trojan reliever Sara Mock forced a strikeout to escape the jam. Troy was retired by Panther starter Kaitlyn Medlam in order in the bottom of the frame to protect Georgia State's 4-1 lead after three innings.
GSU's lead-off batters reached safely in both the fourth and the fifth inning but the Panthers were unable to add to their three-run lead. In the fourth and the fifth inning, Medlam and the Panther defense retired the Trojan sides in order as Georgia State led 4-1 after five innings.
In the top of the seventh, center fielder Ashley Christy reached safely after being hit by a pitch. She advanced to second on first baseman Lauren Coleman's sacrifice bunt. Alford then singled to put Panthers on first and third. After Alford stole second, Caldwell walked to load the bases. Thorpe drew a four-pitch walk to plate Christy and Franklin drove in Alford with her second sacrifice fly of the game to put GSU up 6-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh.
Medlam retired the Trojans three up and three down in the final half inning as Georgia State clinched the series with the 6-1 win. Medlam allowed one run on one hit in the bottom of the first but did allow another base runner in the final six innings.
She improves to 10-7 the season and is now tied for third with Andrea McNary for third on GSU's career wins list with 52. This was her second complete-game win of the series and she now has now pitched eight complete games this season.
Troy starter Jaycee Affeldt falls to 7-14 after the loss. She did not make it through the first inning after giving up three runs on three hits to the first six batters. Sara Mock pitched 5.2 innings in relief and allowed three runs on four hits.
The Panthers return to action on Wednesday, April 2 when they travel to Greenville, S.C. to face the Paladins of Furman for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
