YOUNGSVILLE, La. — The Georgia State Panthers (5-5, 0-0 SBC) saw four players record multi-hit performances, but fell 7-4 to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Sunday, closing out the 2026 Mardi Gras Mambo.

Briana Bower (1-2) took the loss for Georgia State after 2.1 innings in the circle. Makayla Stephens was a bright spot out of the bullpen. Stephens worked 3.2 shutout innings, allowing two hits with one walk and three strikeouts.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Georgia State jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first, loading the bases and bringing home two runs. McKenzie Walker scored the opening run when Chloe Hatcher drew a bases-loaded walk, before Bella Morton crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly from Lauren Brister to make it 2-0 in the first inning.

Louisiana Tech answered by erasing the deficit and building a 7-2 advantage before the Panthers responded again in the fourth. Payton O'Connor came around off a SAC fly from McKenzie Walker to trim the margin to 7-3.

The Panthers kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard the rest of the way and added a run in the seventh to pull within three, but the late rally fell short as Georgia State dropped the contest 7-4 to the LA Tech Bulldogs.

GAME NOTES
» Chloe Hatcher led the Panthers at the plate with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, driving in a run.
» Four Georgia State hitters recorded multiple hits in the game.
» Georgia State's highest-scoring inning was the first, when it scored two runs.
» The Panthers left 10 runners on base.
» Georgia State pitchers combined for seven strikeouts and held Louisiana Tech scoreless over the final three innings.

UP NEXT
Georgia State opens the annual I-75 Challenge at Georgia Tech on Thursday, Feb. 19, with first pitch set for 3:30 p.m.