ATLANTA, Ga. — Behind a career day from Maia Mumpfield, the Georgia State Panthers (17-9, 0-0 SBC) powered past the Kennesaw State Owls 9-5 on Tuesday evening at Bob Heck Softball Complex.
Mumpfield drove in a career-high six runs while going 3-for-4 with a double to lead the Panthers offensively.
Briana Bower earned the win in the circle for Georgia State, tossing five innings. Makayla Stephens added two strong innings of relief, surrendering one run on two hits while striking out three.
Morgan Willingham also turned in a strong offensive performance, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs, while Maya Bagsby finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Payton O'Connor contributed two hits as Georgia State totaled 11 hits in the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Kennesaw State struck first in the opening inning with a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead.
Georgia State answered in the third inning, capitalizing on Owl defensive miscues to plate three runs and take a 3-1 lead.
Kennesaw State rallied in the fourth to tie the game at 3-3 with a solo home run and an RBI double.
The Panthers quickly responded with their biggest inning of the night. Georgia State erupted for five runs in the bottom of the fourth, sparked by Mumpfield's three-run double to left center. Willingham followed with a two-run double, pushing the Panthers ahead 8-3.
Georgia State added another run in the fifth when Bagsby reached on an error that allowed Zoey Defoor to score, extending the lead to 9-3.
Kennesaw State pushed across runs in the sixth and seventh, but the Panthers maintained control the rest of the way to secure the 9-5 victory.
GAME NOTES
» Maia Mumpfield paced Georgia State with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate.
» Morgan Willingham led the Panthers' power surge with two doubles.
» Mumpfield drove in a game-high six runs for Georgia State.
» Every Panther in the starting lineup reached base safely in the victory.
» Georgia State's five-run fourth inning marked its highest-scoring frame of the game.
» Four Panthers recorded multi-hit performances in the win.
» Georgia State out-hit Kennesaw State 11-6.
» The Panthers went 5-for-10 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Georgia State pitchers held Kennesaw State hitless (0-for-5) with runners in scoring position.
» Georgia State drew four walks from Kennesaw State pitching staff.
UP NEXT
The Panthers open conference play this weekend with a three-game series against the Marshall Thundering Herd. The series begins Friday, March 13 at 6 p.m. and concludes Sunday, March 15 at Bob Heck Softball Complex.
