March 2, 2008
Box Score
PANTHERSVILLE, Ga.--Down 2-0 in the championship game of the Georgia State Spring Showdown, Kennesaw State rallied to force extra innings, then defeated the host Panthers 7-3, handing Georgia State its second loss of the season.
Georgia State perhaps would not have scored at all in the final game if not for hard luck befalling the Owls in the third inning. Natasha Berry doubled into left field, which would have put runners on second and third; however, the relay throw rolled a few feet away from Amanda Malcom. The runner from third broke for home, and Malcom's throw to the plate was on target - until it hit the runner in the helmet and rolled to the backstop. Both runners came home to score, giving the host Panthers a, 2-0, lead.
Down but not out, the Owls (14-5) fought back to tie the game. In the fourth, Laura Stallings connected on a 2-2 offering from Ashley Cowan for a solo homer to left center, cutting the deficit to one.
In the fifth, the Owls evened the score. A fielder's choice and a passed ball put Jamie KeKaualua on second with two out in the inning. Jessica Cross came to the plate and delivered with a clutch single through the left side of the infield, bring KeKaualua home to even the score, 2-2.
The game would advance to extra innings, and with the International Tiebreaker Rule in effect, the Owls loaded the bases with two out in the inning. Needing a big hit, KSU got two in a row. Corri Connaly singled through the left side, scoring a pair to give KSU its first lead of the game. One batter later, Jenna Closner connected on an 0-2 offering from Madi Gore for a three-run homer, giving KSU an insurmountable, 7-2, lead.
The Panthers (14-2) would score a third unearned run in the eighth inning, but it would not be enough as starting hurler Brittany Matthews shut the door, inducing a ground out to end the game.
Matthews was stellar for the Owls, giving up three unearned runs on five hits in eight innings of work. The senior walked one batter and struck out eight, improving her record to 10-1 on the year.
Gore was saddled with the loss for the Panthers, giving up four earned runs in two innings of action.
The first game was a bit different for the Owls as KSU fell to the Panthers, 2-0, in pool play. Catherine Lee connected for a two-run homer in the fourth inning for the only runs of the game.
Angela Lopez pitched well for KSU but took the loss. Lopez pitched a complete game, allowing two runs on only three hits with one walk and five strikeouts.
Alicia Mills gave up just one hit and one walk to the Owls in earning the win. Mills struck out 12 batters and faced just three hitters over the minimum.
The Owls will head to Tampa, Fla., for the Under Armour Invitational beginning this Thursday. KSU will face Sam Houston State in its opening game, scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
