ATLANTA — Georgia State softball mounted a late comeback effort, but ultimately fell short in a 6-4 loss to Georgia Southern on Friday afternoon at Bob Heck Softball Complex.
Makayla Stephens got the start in the circle for Georgia State and struck out nine batters over 5.2 innings. Briana Bower entered in relief, tossing 1.1 innings with one strikeout.
At the plate, Chloe Hatcher led the Panthers' offense, going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBIs. Maya Bagsby added a pair of hits and drove in a run, while Maia Mumpfield also recorded a two-hit performance. Morgan Willingham chipped in two hits as Georgia State out-hit Georgia Southern, 12-7.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Georgia Southern struck first in the second inning, taking a 1-0 lead on a wild pitch.
The Eagles extended their lead in the fourth with a solo home run before Georgia Southern added another run on a forced walk to make it 3-0.
Georgia Southern pushed its advantage to 5-0 in the fifth inning with a fielder's choice and a double.
The Panthers responded in the bottom half of the inning when Bagsby delivered an RBI single to right field to score Ciarra Jefferson and put Georgia State on the board.
Georgia State continued to chip away in the sixth inning as Hatcher launched a two-run home run up the middle, cutting the deficit to 5-3.
The Eagles answered in the top of the seventh with a solo home run to stretch the lead back to three.
The Panthers made one final push in the bottom of the seventh when Hatcher doubled to left-center to score Bagsby, but Georgia State was unable to complete the comeback.
GAME NOTES
» Stephens recorded her 4th game this season with nine or more strikeouts.
» Hatcher tallied two extra-base hits, including her team-leading home run.
» Four Panthers recorded multiple hits in the contest.
» Georgia State out-hit Georgia Southern, 12-7.
» Georgia State pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts.
» The Panthers held Georgia Southern to 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
ON DECK
Georgia State closes out the 2026 season on Senior Day against Georgia Southern on Saturday, May 2 at 12 p.m. at Bob Heck Softball Complex.
