CULLOWHEE, N.C. — Georgia State softball rode a dominant day in the circle from Makayla Stephens and a four-home run offensive outburst to sweep Western Carolina in Tuesday's doubleheader at the Catamount Softball Complex, taking game one 9-1 before outlasting the Catamounts 8-6 in 11 innings in game two.
Stephens headlined both games, combining for 12.2 innings of work with 15 strikeouts. She tossed a complete-game three-hitter in the opener and returned in game two to deliver 6.2 shutout innings in relief to secure the sweep.
GAME 1 | Georgia State 9, Western Carolina 1
Georgia State set the tone immediately as McKenzie Walker blasted a leadoff home run to center in the first inning.
The Panthers broke things open in the third, scoring three runs behind a two-RBI double from Lauren Brister and an RBI single from Zoey Defoor to extend the lead to 4-0. Georgia State continued to apply pressure in the fifth, adding three more runs, highlighted by a two-run single from Chloe Hatcher and another RBI knock from Brister.
After Western Carolina got on the board with a solo home run in the fifth, the Panthers answered right back. Maya Bagsby delivered an RBI single in the sixth before Defoor drove in another run to cap the scoring at 9-1.
Stephens was in complete control, striking out 10 while allowing just three hits and no walks over six innings on 88 pitches.
GAME NOTES
» Stephens struck out 10 Catamounts hitters.
» Georgia State's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Georgia State grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Panthers out-hit the Catamounts at a 10-3 clip.
» Georgia State went 5-for-10 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Georgia State pitchers faced 22 Western Carolina hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and five fly balls while striking out 10.
» Walker led the Panthers at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a home run and an RBI.
» Stephens reached 300+ career strikeouts.
GAME 2 | Georgia State 8, Western Carolina 6
Game two turned into an 11 inning marathon, but the Panthers delivered when it mattered most.
Trailing early, Georgia State erupted for five runs in the third inning. Walker sparked the rally with an RBI double before Bagsby drove in two with a single. Brister capped the inning with a two-run home run to give the Panthers a 5-1 lead.
Western Carolina answered with a five-run third of its own. The Catamounts took advantage of defensive miscues to tie and grab a 6-5 advantage.
Brister came through again in the fifth, launching her second home run of the game to even the score at 6-6 and send the contest into a back-and-forth battle.
After five scoreless innings, the Panthers broke through in extras. In the top of the 11th, Chloe Hatcher delivered the decisive two-run home run to left field to give Georgia State an 8-6 lead.
Stephens shut the door from there, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings in relief, allowing just four hits with no walks and five strikeouts.
GAME NOTES
» The Panthers got two home runs off the bat of Brister.
» Caitlyn Hall picked up three hits in the game for Georgia State.
» Stephens struck out five Catamounts hitters.
» The Panthers power output was led by Brister, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Georgia State's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed five runs across.
» Georgia State hitters hit three home runs in the ballgame.
» Georgia State went 3-for-9 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Georgia State pitchers faced 54 Western Carolina hitters in the game, allowing 13 ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out eight.
» The Panthers drew five walks from Western Carolina pitching.
» Brister led the Panthers at the plate, going 2 for 4 with two home runs and three RBIs.
ON DECK
The Panthers head to Mobile, Ala. for a weekend series at South Alabama. First pitch is set for Friday at 7 p.m., continues Saturday at 4 p.m. and closes Sunday at 1 p.m..
