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ATLANTA – The Kennesaw State softball team dropped an 11-3 decision to crosstown rival Georgia State in six innings on Thursday night (March 26) at the Bob Heck Softball Complex.
 
"Give credit to Georgia State," said interim head coach Tory Acheson. "We did not play well and they took advantage of every opportunity. We hit some balls hard early in the game, but it got away from us. We will bounce back on Saturday."
 
KSU falls to 21-11 on the season, while GSU moves to 23-7 in 2015.
 
The Panthers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening frame on a three-run home run to center field, before pushing the score to 4-0 with a solo shot in the bottom of the third.
 
KSU cut its deficit to 4-2 with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth as redshirt-sophomore Courtney Sutter scored junior Megan Veringa on a sacrifice fly to centerfield, before freshman Noelle Winkles doubled in junior Kara Chambers from third base.
 
GSU added to its lead with three runs over the next two innings with a two-RBI single up the middle in the fourth and a two-out single through the right side in the fifth to give the home team a 7-2 advantage.
 
A wild pitch to score Winkles made it 7-3 in the top of the sixth, but the Panthers would score four runs on three hits, including a walk-off double to end the game in the bottom of the frame.
 
KSU totaled five hits and an error in the loss, while GSU registered 12 hits and two miscues. Winkles led the Owls with a 1-of-2 effort with a run and an RBI.
 
Sophomore Logan Viers (3-3) took the loss after giving up three earned runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning, while junior Morgan Sikes and seniors Paige Mathews and Monica Vickery also seeing action in the setback.
 
Taylor Thorpe (11-1) earned the win and gave up two earned runs on five hits in five innings of work.
 
The Owls will next host Jacksonville in an Atlantic Sun Conference three-game series at Bailey Park this weekend. KSU and the Dolphins will play a doubleheader on Saturday, March 28, before the series finale on Sunday, March 29. First pitch for both days is set for 1 p.m. ET. 
 
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State softball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsSB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.