LAFAYETTE, La. – In the Panthers' opening game of the Sun Belt Conference Championship, the Georgia State softball team stranded 12 base runners in a 2-1 loss to UL Monroe in nine innings. GSU is eliminated from the tournament and falls to 30-26 overall this season while the Warhawks improve to 24-25.
“We failed to execute with runners on base,” head coach Roger Kincaid said after the difficult loss. “We did not get the big hits when we need them. It is a tough way to end the season but I am still extremely proud of the team for coming into the Sun Belt and finishing third in the regular season in a very difficult conference.”
“Unfortunately we were not able to reach our ultimate goal of winning the conference tournament,” Kincaid said. “I am sad that it is over for our three seniors because they are all special and have shown great leadership. The team wanted to extend the season for them but sadly we were unable to do that.”
Both teams stranded a runner in a scoreless first inning. GSU starter Kaitlyn Medlam retired the ULM side in order in the top of the second. In the bottom of the frame, right fielder Megan Litumbe drew a lead-off walk and designated player Mandy Blackwell then singled to center to put two runners on with no outs. However, both were stranded when three straight pop-ups ended the second inning with the game still scoreless.
The Warhawks grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top third when center fielder Rochelle Roberts drove in left fielder Courtney Dutreix with a single. In the bottom of the inning, second baseman Kensey Caldwell reached with a one-out walk. After a pop-up, catcher Callie Alford was hit by a pitch to put two runners on first and second. However, GSU was unable to score when a pop fly ended the third inning with ULM up 1-0.
In the top of the fourth, shortstop Faith Bohack hit a one-out double and she advanced to third on catcher Robbie Dailey's single. Dailey then stole second but Medlam escaped the jam by recording a strikeout and forcing a line out to end the top of the frame. Georgia State was retired in order in the bottom of the inning and UL Monroe lead 1-0 after four complete.
GSU tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth. Shortstop Taylor Anderson hit a one-out double to right center, but she was caught in a rundown when Caldwell reached on a grounder to third. First baseman Lauren Coleman walked and Caldwell then scored on a throwing error by ULM's Bohack on Alford's grounder to tie the score.
Medlam retired the ULM side three up and three down in the top of the sixth. In the bottom half of the inning, the Panthers loaded the bases with two outs but could not take the lead when a strikeout ended the inning with the bases full and the game still tied 1-1.
Both teams were retired in order in the seventh and the game went into extra innings tied 1-1. Medlam worked a quick 1-2-3 inning in the top of the eighth. In the bottom of the inning, third baseman MeQuilla Franklin reached with a one-out single but she was then tagged out at second on center fielder Ashley Christy's fielder's choice. Left fielder Jessica Clifton then singled to put two runners on but both were stranded when a groundout ended the eighth.
In the top of the ninth, first baseman Amye Barre drew a lead-off walk for ULM. Pinch runner Kaitlyn Dupuis advanced to second on Bohack's sacrifice bunt back to the pitcher. Pinch hitter Letourneau then singled up the middle to plate Dupuis and give the Warhawks a 2-1 lead.
Georgia State went down in order in the bottom of the ninth and UL Monroe clinched the 2-1 victory. GSU starter Kaitlyn Medlam falls to 20-12 after the complete game loss. She pitched nine innings and allowed two runs on six hits.
“Kaitlyn pitched great but we did not do enough as a team to get the win,” Kincaid said about his record-setting senior. “She gave us the same type of performance that she has given us all year and deserved to win. She is special.”
UL Monroe's Samantha Hamby improved to 16-15 win the win after pitching 4.1 innings in relief. She gave up three hits and did not allow a run. Warhawk starter Melanie Coyne pitched 4.2 innings and allowed one unearned run on two hits.
“We accomplished some good things this year and had some good wins,” Kincaid said. “It took a ton of effort to grind it out and finish third in the regular season. With all the injuries we had this year I am very proud of the team for continuing to battle. When we return to the conference tournament next year we will be better prepared for this stage.”
The Panthers must now wait and see if they have down enough during the regular season to earn an at-large bit to an NCAA Tournament regional. The 64-team field will be announced on Sunday, May 11 at 10 p.m. ET.
