HARRISONBURG, Va. — Georgia State battled throughout Friday's doubleheader at James Madison, but came up short in both contests, falling 4-3 in game one before dropping a 9-6 decision in the nightcap.
Ciarra Jefferson powered the Panther offense, hitting two home runs across the doubleheader for three RBIs to lead Georgia State at the plate.
GAME 1 | JMU 4, Georgia State 3
The Panthers jumped on the board in the top of the first. After Maya Bagsby was walked to first, Lauren Brister delivered a sacrifice fly to bring her home and give Georgia State an early 1-0 lead.
James Madison responded quickly, capitalizing on a defensive miscue in the bottom half of the first to even the score.
The Dukes then took control in the second with a solo home, before breaking the game open in the third with a two-run double to build a 4-1 advantage.
Georgia State chipped away in the fifth. Ciarra Jefferson launched a solo home run to left field, and the Panthers added another run on an error to cut the deficit to 4-3.
However, neither side scored over the final two innings, clsoing the game in 4-3 victory for the Dukes.
GAME NOTES
» The Panthers' highest scoring inning was the fifth, when they pushed across two runs, including a solo home run from Ciarra Jefferson.
» Georgia State finished with two hits, but drew seven walks in the contest.
» Jefferson led the Panthers offensively, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Georgia State pitchers faced 26 JMU hitters, allowing seven ground balls and four fly balls while striking out six.
» Briana Bower and Makayla Stephens combined to limit JMU to six hits across the game.
GAME 2 | JMU 9, Georgia State 6
The Dukes jumped out early, scoring three runs in the first inning.
Georgia State responded in the second when Ciarra Jefferson launched a two-run home run to center field, cutting the deficit to 3-2 and bringing the Panthers right back into the contest.
James Madison rebuilt its cushion in the third behind a three-run homer, pushing the lead to 6-2.
The Dukes maintained control until the fifth, when Georgia State delivered its biggest swing of the night. The Panthers erupted for four runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run single from Allison Jones and a two-run base hit from Lauren Brister. The rally tied the game at 6-6.
The tie was cut short as James Madison responded in the sixth with a two-run homer and an RBI double to regain control at 9-6.
The Panthers were held scoreless over the final two innings as the Dukes closed out the sweep 9-6.
GAME NOTES
» Georgia State's biggest inning was the fifth, when it scored four runs to erase a four-run deficit and tie the game at 6-6.
» The Panthers finished 2-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
» Georgia State recorded seven hits, with four different Panthers driving in runs.
» Ciarra Jefferson led the Panthers, going 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and two RBIs.
» Lauren Brister also drove in two runs, going 2-for-3 at the plate.
» Allison Jones added two RBIs in the fifth-inning rally.
» Georgia State pitchers faced 31 JMU hitters, allowing seven ground balls and six fly balls while striking out four.
ON DECK
Georgia State will close out the weekend series against James Madison on Sunday, April 26 in Harrisonburg, Va. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.
