STATESBORO, GA. – Georgia Southern dropped a 4-1 decision to in-state rival Georgia State on Friday evening. The Eagles went up 1-0 in the third, but a pair of runs for State in the sixth and seventh innings handed the visitors the win. The Eagles and Panthers return to the diamond on Saturday for a Senior Day doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
"We've played well in our last few games, and we put together another solid game despite the loss," said Head Coach
Annie Smith. "We did some good things defensively today and got some key hits when we needed them. I'm excited to see how we come out and honor our seniors tomorrow in the final two games of the regular season."
Lexi Allen put the Eagles on top in the third inning when
Lexi Allen hit a bleeder down the left field line that popped out of the fielder's glove as she dove for the ball. The RBI single plated
Emily Snider from second base for the Eagles' first run of the game.
Georgia State went ahead in the sixth with a pair of runs. Mandy Blackwell delivered a single with the bases loaded and one out. The liner up the middle scored two runs as the visitors took a 2-1 lead.
Ivie Drake went yard in the seventh to extend the lead to 3-1. Her 20th home run of the season went out to right field. The Panthers went back-to-back when Callie Alford hit her 15th home run to left-center and made the score 4-1.
Kierra Camp struck out five batters in the game and went six and a third innings while taking the loss. She pitched well, scattering eight hits, but allowing all four runs.
The Eagles and Panthers close out the regular season on Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader at Eagle Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. with Senior Day festivities scheduled for 12:45 p.m.
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Fans can purchase tickets to Georgia Southern Athletics events by calling 1-800-GSU-WINS or by visiting GSEagles.com.