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KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State softball team's comeback attempt fell just short Wednesday evening as Georgia State utilized a trio of early runs to hold the Owls at bay and edge out KSU 3-2 at Bailey Park.

How it happened: The Panthers (7-37) struck first in the top of the second as Alyssa Brumelow reached first on an error. After a single pushed her to second, Brumelow was brought around to score on a two-out single to give GSU the lead 1-0 at the end of the second inning.

Georgia State added to its lead the following inning as Remington Hasty blasted a lead-off home run over the left field wall. GSU eventually put runners on the corners with two outs before a single up the middle brought the score to 3-0 forcing Abby Deane to step in for starting pitcher Peyton Elzey.

The Owls (24-22) responded in the bottom of the third as Jessie Mullen drew a walk and stole second to try and spark a rally. After Hannah Thomason was walked on the next at-bat, Christen Florence smacked an RBI single to center field to put KSU on the board. The Owls were able to add one more run in the inning as Maddie Roth reached on a fielding error, allowing Thomason to score from third to make it 3-2.

That would prove to be as close as KSU would get as Deane and GSU's Savannah Freeman became locked in a pitcher's duel the rest of the way. KSU had its best chance at knotting the game up in the bottom of the seventh, putting runners on first and second with one out, but were unable to plate either runners.

Notes: Christen Florence, Maddie Roth, Jade Lee and Brea Dickey all logged one hit on the day … Florence logged her third straight game with an RBI … Dickey recorded her third stolen base in the last four games while Jessie Mullen logged her third stolen base of the year … Abby Deane allowed only one hit over her 4.1 innings of work, striking out two batters … Kira Czyrklis snapped her 11 game streak of reaching base … KSU tied its season-high with five errors.

Up next: The Owls host North Alabama for their final home series of the season, beginning with a doubleheader Friday at 1 p.m., followed by a Saturday matinee at 1 p.m.