SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State softball team dropped a pair of games Saturday afternoon to the Georgia State Panthers by scores of 5-2 and 13-4 at the Bobcat Softball Stadium. Texas State falls to 15-12 overall and 3-2 in Sun Belt Conference play.
 
Courtney Harris and Kelli Baker led the way offensively for Texas State, recording three hits a piece over the course of the two games. Kendall Wiley extended her on base streak to 26 after recording a hit in each game.
 
Three home runs by Georgia State freshman Ivie Drake set the tone for game one as the Bobcats, despite outhitting the Panthers 7-4, were unable to move runners all the way around the bases.
 
Down three in the bottom of the third, the Bobcats added their first run to the scoreboard on a double by Kimberlin Naivar, scoring Bianca Prado who led the inning off with a walk.
 
Pinch hitting in the bottom of the seventh, junior Katie Doerre launched her first home run of the season to cut the Panther lead to three. Georgia State got out of the inning, denying the Bobcats a win in game one of the day.
 
Harris and Baker each finished game one with a pair of hits each.
 
Game two of the day began in favor of the Bobcats as they took an early 3-0 lead after the first inning. Ariel Ortiz doubled down the left field line to score Baker who led the game off with a double before Harris launched her third home run of the season to give the Bobcats the early lead.
 
Harris scored the fourth run of the game for Texas State as she advanced home on a stolen base by Danielle Warne. Harris made her way to the paths on a fielder's choice to the shortstop.
 
It was in the bottom of the sixth that tables turned in favor of the Panthers. Georgia State scored four in the top half of the inning to tie the ball game up at 4-4.
 
The Panther momentum carried its way into the top of the seventh as they scored nine more runs to put the game all but out of reach for Texas State. Kimberlin Naivar led the seventh inning off with a walk and the Bobcats proceeded load the bases before stranding three to end the contest.
 
Randi Rupp was dealt the loss in both contests, falling to 11-8 on the year. Ortiz recorded her team-leading 13^th double in game two of the day.
 
The Bobcats and the Panthers will wrap up the three-game series Sunday afternoon. First pitch at the Bobcat Softball Stadium is scheduled for 12 p.m. Live stats, live video, and live audio will be available at www.txstatebobcats.com.