ATLANTA – Behind a stellar complete-game performance by senior starter Kaitlyn Medlam, the Georgia State softball team defeated Texas State 3-2 on Sunday, April 13 at Bob Heck Field to give the Panthers their first Sun Belt sweep of the season. GSU improves to 23-21 overall and 7-5 in conference play and the Bobcats drop to 21-24 this season and 4-8 in the Sun Belt.
“We were focused coming into the series and we knew Texas State was a good team,” head coach Roger Kincaid said after Sunday's win.”We knew we had to play solid softball. We were error free during the series and that was a big boost. The team was focused and they finished the sweep today.”
Sophomore shortstop Taylor Anderson, junior first baseman Lauren Coleman and freshman left fielder Morgan Brown all finished with one RBI each to lead Georgia State. Freshman designated player Mandy Blackwell was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate.
The win was Medlam's 15th of the season and 57th of her career to move her past Stacy Peterson into second place on GSU's career wins list. She needs five more victories to become the winningest pitcher in Georgia State history.
“Kaitlyn was phenomenal in the circle this weekend,” Kincaid said. “She did exactly what we needed her to do. She has put the team on her back as a senior leader. I could not be more proud of her. She is doing her job, eating up innings and pitching out of some really tight jams.”
After hitting the lead-off batter in the top of the first, Medlam retired the next three Bobcats to end the threat. In the bottom of the inning, Anderson singled to short and advanced to second when the ball got away from the Texas State shortstop Jordan Masek. She reached third on second baseman Kensey Caldwell's sacrifice bunt and scored on Coleman's sacrifice fly to give GSU a 1-0 lead after one.
The Bobcats tied the game 1-1 in the top of the second when Kendall Wiley hit a solo homer to right. In the bottom of the second, Georgia State got back-to-back singles from Blackwell and third baseman MeQuilla Franklin. After a strikeout, Brown singled to second but Blackwell was thrown out at home trying to score on the play.
Texas State opened the top of the third with two walks and then both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt. After a groundout, Medlam intentionally walked designated player Kortney Koroll to load the bases. Medlam then escaped the jam by forcing a pop-up to end the inning. GSU was retired in order in the bottom of the frame and the game was tied 1-1 after three.
The Bobcats went three up and three down in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, the Panthers stranded runners at second and third when back-to-back strikeouts end the threat. Medlam retired the Texas State side in order in the top of the fifth and then Anderson hit a solo bomb to left center to give GSU a 2-1 lead after five complete. She now has a team-high 11 home runs this season.
Texas State tied the game 2-2 in the top of the sixth when Wiley scored on right fielder Coralee Ramirez RBI single over Anderson's head. The Panthers responded to retake the lead 3-2 after six. Blackwell singled up the middle to start the rally. Ashley Christy then subbed in to run. She advanced to third on back-to-back sacrifice bunts by Franklin and center fielder Jessica Clifton. Brown then singled up the middle to plate Christy.
In the top of the seventh, Medlam forced two infield pop-ups to retire the first two Texas State batters. Third baseman Courtney Harris and Koroll both singled to put Bobcats on the corners. However, Medlam recorded a strikeout to end the game and give GSU the 3-2 win.
Medlam pitched 7.0 innings and allowed two runs on seven hits. She improves to 15-8 overall with the win and is 7-1 in her last eight decisions. Texas State starter Rayn House falls to 18-15 after the loss. She pitched 6.0 innings and allowed three runs on 12 hits.
The Panthers return to action on Tuesday, April 15 when they travel to Jacksonville, Ala. to face the Gamecocks of Jacksonville State. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
“Getting a sweep lets the team know that they can compete in the Sun Belt and this conference is where we belong,” Kincaid said. “This is a big confidence builder and let them know they can get it done.”
