Game 47-49 vs. ULM
Game 47: Friday, April 17 @ 6 p.m.
Game 48: Saturday, April 18 @ 3 p.m.
Game 49: Sunday, April 19 @ 12 p.m.
Location: Atlanta, Ga.
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ATLANTA – Georgia State softball welcomes the ULM Warhawks to the Bob Heck Softball Complex for Bob Heck Memorial Weekend, opening a three-game series on Friday, April 17. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 6 p.m., Saturday's alumni day matchup begins at 3 p.m. and the series will conclude Sunday with first pitch set for noon.
SERIES HISTORY
ULM leads the Panthers 20-18 in the all-time series, which dates back to April 26, 2014. Georgia State logged a longest stretch of success from May 1, 2016, to April 29, 2017, winning five consecutive games during that span. ULM has since taken control of the matchup and enters the weekend on an 11-game winning streak following a 14-4 victory in Monroe on March 16, 2025. The Panthers post a 7-8 record in Atlanta and a 7-10 mark in Monroe, while sitting 4-2 in neutral locations. Overall, the series has produced 164 total runs, averaging 4.27 runs per game.
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 their strong campaign into week 10, leading the Sun Belt in hits (403), hits allowed per seven innings (6.47) and team strikeouts per seven innings (6.47). The Panthers also rank second in batting average (.313), stolen bases per game (1.41), strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.47), total stolen bases (65) and WHIP (1.30), while placing third in total runs (242), fourth in triples (9) and fifth in runs batted in (220).
Individually, Makayla Stephens continues to headline a dominant pitching staff, leading the Sun Belt in complete games (19), hits allowed per seven innings (4.81), shutouts (4), strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.75), strikeouts (189), strikeouts per seven innings (8.0) and WHIP (0.86). She also ranks second in games started (24), innings pitched (166.0) and victories (16), third in pitching appearances (32), fourth in earned run average (2.32) and third in walks allowed per seven innings (1.18). Briana Bower has been a key complement in the circle, ranking sixth in innings pitched (116.0), sixth in games started (19), seventh in complete games (8) and ninth in strikeouts (79).
Offensively, McKenzie Walker fuels the top of the lineup, ranking second in batting average (.413), hits (62), runs (51) and runs per game (1.11). She also ranks fifth in on-base percentage (.497), fifth in total bases (89) and is tied for first in stolen bases (19) while tied for second in stolen bases per game (0.41). Maya Bagsby continues to be a spark on the basepaths, tied for first in stolen bases (19), tied for second in stolen bases per game (0.41) and ranking third in hits (54). Chloe Hatcher has supplied key run production in the middle of the order, ranking fourth in RBIs (40) and sixth in sacrifice flies (3).
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.
