Softball | 5/4/2017 1:01:00 PM

STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern softball team returns home to host in-state rivalry Georgia State this week at Eagle Field in a key Sun Belt conference series. The Eagles will face the Panthers in a single game Friday evening at 6 p.m. before playing a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon starting at 1 p.m. The series will have live stats available here. Be sure to follow @GSAthletics_SB on twitter for updates throughout the weekend.

Before Saturday's first game, the five seniors on the 2017 squad, Amanda Chambers, Michelle Mazur, Andrea McKenzie, Morgan Robinson and Emily Snider, will be honored in a Senior Day ceremony. All five seniors will graduate on Saturday from Georgia Southern.

The Panthers enter the weekend at 30-21, 15-9 in the Sun Belt after taking the series with ULM last weekend. Georgia Southern is 24-25 overall, 12-12 in the conference. This is the last series for both teams before the Sun Belt Tournament, with seeding on the line. Georgia State sits in third place while Georgia Southern is tied for fifth place, but is just a half game out of fourth place, which would get a first-round bye.
 
The Panther offense is led by reigning Sun Belt Player of the Week Megan Litumbe, who homered three times during Saturday's doubleheader versus UL Monroe, leading to three intentional walks during the series. Litumbe went 5-for-9 (.556) with four RBIs and five runs scored last weekend. Litumbe currently ranks 10th in the nation with 17 home runs and holds Georgia State's career home run record with 48. Three other starters are hitting .330 or higher, including Drake Ivie (.367 BA, 7 HRs), Morgan Brown (.348 BA, 12 SBs) and Kensey Caldwell (.337 BA, 16 2Bs). The Panthers as a team hit .293 with 43 home runs and 37 stolen bases, but have given up 42 home runs and 38 stolen bases on the flip side.
 
Kinsley Jennings and Amanda Chance have seen most of the action in the circle. Jennings is 15-10 with a 3.15 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 124.1 innings pitched while Chance is 7-6 with a 3.96 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 100.2 innings pitched.

The series is also worth a point in the Southern vs. State Rivalry Challenge.

Promotions
Friday • 6 pm
• White Out: Fans are encouraged to wear white.
• Advanced Degree Graduation Day: New graduates are encouraged to bring a graduation program for a free t-shirt.

Saturday • 1 pm (DH)
• Senior Day: Seniors will be recognized.
• Graduation Day: New graduates are encouraged to bring a graduation program for a free t-shirt.
• White Out