MONROE, La. – The Georgia State softball team was defeated by UL Monroe 1-0 on a walk-off, RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning on Sunday, April 27 in Monroe, La. The Panthers fall to 28-24 overall and 10-8 in conference play, while the Warhawks improve to 22-22 and 6-11 in the Sun Belt.
Shortstop Taylor Anderson and second baseman Kensey Caldwell opened the game with back-to-back singles for GSU. Then first baseman Lauren Coleman was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. However, the Panthers were unable to score when a foul pop-up and double play ended the top of the first. Georgia State starter Kaitlyn Medlam then retired the ULM side three up and three down in the bottom of the frame to keep the game scoreless after one.
Both teams stranded a base runner in the second inning and neither was able to break the tie. In the bottom of the third, the Warhawks got one-out single from left fielder Courtney Dutreix. She adcanved to second on a groundout. However, she was thrown out at home trying to score on center fielder Rochelle Roberts' single up the middle to end the third inning with the score still 0-0.
In the top of the fourth, right fielder Megan Litumbe drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second on left fielder Morgan Brown's fielder's choice. After a strikeout, a groundout pushed the runners to second and third but both were stranded when a strikeout ended the top of the frame. ULM was retired in order in the bottom half to keep the game 0-0 after four complete.
The Panthers stranded runners at second and third again in the top of the fifth inning. With one out in the bottom of the fifth, catcher Robbie Dailey doubled down the left field line for the Warhawks, but she was stranded when a line out and groundout ended the fifth inning with the game still scoreless.
Both teams were retired in order in the sixth inning. Brown opened the top of the seventh with a bunt single to third. However, the next three Panther batters were retired to end the threat. In the bottom of the seventh, Bohack hit a one-out doubled to left and advanced to second on a groundout. After intentionally walking Dailey, Medlam forced right fielder Sidney Coy to hit a grounder to second and Caldwell tagged out Dailey to end the seventh with the game still tied 0-0.
Georgia State catcher Callie Alford reached with a lead-off single in the top of the eighth. She advanced to second on Litumbe's sacrifice bunt and reach third on a groundout. However, she was stranded 60 feet from home when a groundout ended the top of the frame.
Dutreix opened the bottom of the eighth with a single to third and she advanced to second on a throwing error. Second baseman Miyuki Navarrete then reached safely with a bunt single to push Dutreix to third. After a double play, Dutreix scored on an error to give UL Monroe the 1-0 win.
GSU starter Kaitlyn Medlam falls to 18-11 after the loss. She scattered six hits over 7.2 innings and allowed one unearned run. ULM starter Samantha Hamby pitched eight scoreless innings and allowed five hits.
The Panthers will return to the field on Friday, May 2 to host Western Kentucky in the team's final regular-season conference series of the season. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. The teams will then play a doubleheader on Saturday, May 3 starting at 1 p.m. Georgia State will honor seniors Jessica Clifton, MeQuilla Franklin and Kaitlyn Medlam before game 1.
