SAN MARCOS, Texas – Georgia State scored two runs in the ninth inning to defeat Texas State 5-3 in Sun Belt Conference softball action Friday evening.  
 
Georgia State (23-11, 8-2 Sun Belt) took advantage of a Bobcat error, which extended the ninth frame, in scoring the game's decisive two runs. Remington Hasty singled to right to drive home Megan Litumbe and two batters later Kensey Cladwell provided the 5-3 final, scoring on Reagan Morgan's infield single.
 
The Panthers' Kinsley Jennings started and threw eight complete to earn the win and improve to 8-4 on the season. TXST's Randi Rupp was saddled with the loss in falling to 15-4 on the season.
 
Texas State (24-7, 7-2 Sun Belt), which was unable to capitalize on a bases loaded situation in of the ninth with two outs, was limited to five hits in the contest, while Georgia State tallied 15.
 
Georgia State took a 1-0 lead in the top half of second as Mandy Blackwell scored from first on Hasty's double to right center. The Bobcats answered with a pair of runs in the home half of the inning to take a 2-1 advantage. Taylor Webb drew a leadoff walk and Corrina Liscano followed with a single down the left-field line to put two runners on base. After a Kennedy Cline sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, Sara Rupp roped a double off the centerfield wall to score both Webb and Liscano.
 
Texas State added a run in the third for a 3-1 lead as Christian McDowell scored from second on Jaelyn Young's single to center that was misplayed by the Panther fielder.
 
The Panthers got a run back in the fourth to trim the TXST lead to 3-2. Caldwell single to center to lead off the inning and came around to score three batters later on Morgan's RBI double to left. With runners on second and third with one out, Rupp struck out pinch hitter Kylee Love before retiring Morgan Brown on a popup.
 
Georgia State tied the game 3-3 with a run in the fifth. The Panthers' started the inning with three straight single, including one of the RBI variety off the bat of Megan Litumbe, to level the game.
 
In the top of the eight Georgia State loaded the bases with none out; however, Rupp responded with her seventh strikeout of the evening before inducing an inning-ending unassisted double play to Ortiz at short. In the bottom of the inning, Ortiz hit a two-out double to left center, but was stranded as GSU's Jennings escaped the jam with a strikeout.
 
UP NEXT
Texas State and Georgia State will complete the three-game series Saturday (April 1) with a doubleheader beginning at 12:30 p.m.
 
BOBCATS GO4THEGOAL BY LACING UP FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER AWARENESS ON APRIL 5
Texas State softball and baseball will support the Go4theGoal organization by participating in Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer games on April 5. Both games will be played in San Marcos with softball hosting Texas (6 p.m.) and baseball UTRGV (6 p.m.). Both program will wear gold shoe laces in support of the initiative. Fans are encouraged to wear gold to the games and will have a chance to donate to Go4theGoal's mission of improving the lives of children battling cancer by providing financial support, developing and implementing unique hospital programs, funding innovative research and granting personal wishes. For more information, visit GO4THEGOAL.ORG.
 
FOLLOW THE BOBCATS
For all of the latest news and information on Bobcat softball, visit TXSTATEBOBCATS.com. Fans can also follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/TXStateSoftball along on Twitter (@TXStateSoftball) and Instagram (@TXStateSoftball).
 
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