Georgia State softball won its seventh game in their last eleven with a 10-5 victory over in-state rival Georgia Tech Tuesday at Mewborn Field in Atlanta.
Taylor Anderson hit two of the Panthers’ five home runs in the game to build a comfortable lead over the Yellow Jackets.
After Georgia Tech had an early 1-0 lead, Kensey Caldwell led off the inning with a walk, then advanced to second on a single from Megan Litumbe. Caldwell advanced to third on a groundout from Mandy Blackwell, then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.
Litumbe then scored when Jessica Clifton reached on an error to put the Panthers ahead 2-1.
Georgia State started their half of the third with hits from Lauren Coleman and Callie Alford. Litumbe hit a three-run home run to increase the Panthers’ lead to 5-1.
The Yellow Jackets got all three runs back in their half singles from Thomas and infielder Maddie Lionberger were followed by a three-run homer from Ludnik to bring Tech back to within one at 5-4.
Three more runs would score for Georgia State in the top of the fourth. After a lead off walk to Anderson and Coleman reaching on catcher’s interference, Callie Alford’s three-run homer extended the Panthers’ lead to 8-4.
Later, a homer from Anderson in the top of the fifth made the game 9-4.
In the bottom half of the fifth, outfielder Hayley Downs tripled then scored on an error to bring the Yellow Jackets to within four at 9-5.
Yet, Anderson lofted another long ball for her second home run of the game making the score 10-5 Panthers in the top of the seventh securing the win.
Georgia State is now tied with Georgia Tech in the season’s series between the two at 1-1. Georgia Tech defeated Georgia State back in February 5-1.
Eron Milton was awarded the win for Georgia State Tuesday. She pitched three innings, gave up four hits, four runs and two walks.
Kylie Kleinschmidt was credited with the loss for Georgia Tech as she pitched two and one-thirds innings, allowed four hits, five runs, three walks and struck out two.
The Panthers are now 20-20 on the season and will continue their mid-week, in-state road trip when they face Georgia Southern on Wednesday.
