Game 26: Tuesday, March 10 @ 6 p.m. vs. Kennesaw State
Location: Atlanta, Ga.
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ATLANTA – Georgia State softball (16-9, 0-0 SBC) is set to host in-state rival Kennesaw State Owls (4-17, 0-3 CUSA) on Tuesday evening, marking the first game of a five-game homestand for the Panthers. First pitch is set for Tuesday, March 10 at 6 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia State and the Kennesaw State Owls have met 52 times in a series that dates back to April 10, 1991. Kennesaw State leads the all-time series 28-24, though the matchup has remained competitive over the years between the in-state programs. The Panthers claimed the first meeting with a 1-0 victory before completing a doubleheader sweep later that day with a 3-0 win. The most recent meeting came on April 15, 2025, when Georgia State Panthers earned an 8-7 road victory in Kennesaw. Georgia State has won six of the last 10 matchups between the teams and enters the upcoming contest on a one-game winning streak in the series. During that stretch, the Panthers have also produced the largest margin of victory in the matchup with a 13-0 win on March 15, 2016. Georgia State's longest winning streak in the series came from March 18, 2014 through March 22, 2017, when the Panthers won seven consecutive games against the Owls. Across the series, Georgia State has scored 197 total runs, averaging 3.78 runs per game in the rivalry.
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 have continued to make a statement early in nonconference play. Georgia State leads 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 rank 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 ranks third in triples (6) and fourth in triples per game (0.27), while holding a 1.24 team WHIP that ranks third in the conference.
Individually, Makayla Stephens continues 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 ranks second in strikeouts per seven innings (8.2) and pitching appearances (19), while placing third in ERA (1.57). Offensively, McKenzie Walker anchors the lineup, leading the league in hits (33) and runs scored (30) and ranking second in runs per game (1.14). Maia Mumpfield adds run production, ranking second in the conference with 29 RBIs and second in RBIs per game (1.14), while Chloe Hatcher ranks third in RBIs (24). Defensively, Caitlyn Hall leads 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.
