COLUMBIA, S.C. - Kristin Hawkins knocked three base hits Wednesday, but it was not enough as Georgia State lost 7-3 to No. 16 South Carolina in Columbia.

The Gamecocks hit two home runs in the bottom of the first inning to lead 4-0 before an out was recorded. Emily Soles came in to pitch for the Panthers and got GSU out of the inning.

The Panthers rallied with three runs in the top of the third to cut the deficit to one.

Baylee Sexton led off the inning with a single and Caitlin Ray then smashed a double off the wall in right field, her seventh of the season. After a walk loaded the bases, an error by SC allowed GSU's first run to score.

Down 4-1, Hawkins singled to center field to make it 4-2. Later in the inning, freshman Gabby Benson drew a bases-loaded walk to earn her first career RBI.

South Carolina responded with two more runs in the bottom of the inning. The Gamecocks made it 7-3 in the bottom of the fourth. That would be more than enough for Cayla Drotar, who threw 4.1 scoreless innings in relief for the Gamecocks.

Next up for Georgia State is a three-game conference series at Texas State in San Marcos beginning Friday.

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