Game 27-29 vs. Marshall
Game 27: Friday, March 13 @ 6 p.m.
Game 28: Saturday, March 14 @ 3 p.m.
Game 29: Sunday, March 15 @ 12 p.m.
Location: Atlanta, Ga.
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ATLANTA – Georgia State softball (17-9, 0-0 SBC) launches into conference play this weekend, hosting the Marshall Thundering Herd (17-8, 0-0 SBC) for a three-game series at the Bob Heck Softball Complex. First pitch is set for Friday, March 13 at 6 p.m., followed by Saturday's matchup at 3 p.m. before the series concludes Sunday at 12 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia State and Marshall have met 15 times in the diamond, with the Thundering Herd holding a 13-2 advantage in the all-time series. The Panthers are 1-5 against Marshall in games played in Atlanta and 0-6 in Huntington. Marshall has won the last nine matchups in the series. Georgia State's most recent victories coming during early meetings in 1995 and 2000. The teams first met on March 15, 1995, when the Panthers earned a 5-2 win. The two programs have met regularly since Marshall joined the Sun Belt Conference, facing off in league play in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Most recently, the Panthers traveled to Huntington in May 2025, where the Thundering Herd swept the three-game set.
SMASHING START
The Georgia State Panthers kicked off their season with the program's best start since 2008, sweeping the UWG Opening Weekend Event with a perfect 5-0 record. Over the weekend, GSU racked up 50 runs on 74 hits, boasting a scorching .446 team batting average. The Panthers showcased their power with six doubles, three triples, and four home runs, while their pitching held opponents to a stingy .169 batting average.
SUN BELT DOMINANCE
The Georgia State Panthers entered week five leading the Sun Belt Conference in hits (251) and team strikeouts per seven innings (6.90), while ranking second in batting average (.354) and on-base percentage (.413). The Panthers ranked third in total RBIs (137) and total runs scored (152), while sitting fourth in scoring at 6.05 runs per game and RBIs per game (5.50). Georgia State also ranked third in triples (6) and fourth in triples per game (0.27), while holding a 1.24 team WHIP that ranked third in the conference.
Individually, Makayla Stephens continued to set the standard in the circle, leading the Sun Belt in innings pitched (93.2), strikeouts (112), shutouts (4), WHIP (0.78), complete games (11), victories (12), and hits allowed per seven innings (4.51). She also ranked second in strikeouts per seven innings (8.2) and pitching appearances (19), while placing third in ERA (1.57). Offensively, McKenzie Walker anchored the lineup, leading the league in hits (33) and runs scored (30) and ranking second in runs per game (1.14). Maia Mumpfield added run production, ranking second in the conference with 29 RBIs and second in RBIs per game (1.14), while Chloe Hatcher ranked third in RBIs (24). Defensively, Caitlyn Hall led the conference with five runners caught stealing.
INSIDE THE CIRCLE
Georgia State will feature a fresh look inside the circle this season as the Panthers' return only one pitcher from last season, Makayla Stephens. Stephens made 27 appearances during the 2025 campaign, striking out 103 batter to rank seventh in the conference in strikeouts and fourth in strikeouts looking (33). She will be joined by a group of newcomers in the circle, as freshman Brynn Belstle, and Illinois transfer Briana Bower look to add new style to the Panthers' pitching staff.
NEW TO THE A
Georgia State welcomes nine new faces to the roster for the upcoming season, including four freshmen and five transfers ready to make an immediate impact. Freshmen Kya Walker, Maya Bagsby, Brynn Belstle and Samantha Breaux bring youthful energy and potential, while transfers Caitlyn Hall (Abilene Christian), Briana Bower (Illinois), Allison Jones (Rhode Island) and Dillyn Suggs (Campbell) bring collegiate experience to bolster the Panthers' lineup.
GEORGIA ON OUR MIND
Georgia State's roster reflects a strong homegrown presence, with 14 out of 21 players hailing from the Peach State. The remaining seven players bring added depth to the roster, representing Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Missouri (1) and Texas (1).
NADLER HERE TO STAY
Following two standout seasons with the Panthers, Nadler joined the Owens coaching staff as a Graduate Assistant. She concluded her senior campaign as the team's offensive leader, starting 46 of 47 games. Nadler led the 2024 roster in nearly every major statistical category, including batting average (.296), home runs (7), triples (2), RBI (22), slugging (.520), and OBP (.390). During a highlight performance against Robert Morris on Feb. 23, 2024, she etched herself into the record book with a single-game home runs record (2), marking the second highest in a single game in program history.
Admission is free to all Georgia State softball home games in 2026.
