Wednesday's scheduled doubleheader at Chattanooga has been moved to Thursday due to weather. Thursday's forecast also calls for rain so stay tuned to GeorgiaStateSports.com for a final decision on Thursday's doubleheader.
ATLANTA -- Coming off a series win over conference rival Towson, the Georgia State softball team hits the road on Thursday for a doubleheader with the Southern Conference's Chattanooga Mocs.
Game one of the doubleheader is slated for 4 p.m. at Jim Frost Stadium, with game two following immediately. Both games can be followed via UTC's gametracker and the GSU live blog.
The Panthers (15-15, 2-1 CAA) claimed two of three games at Towson this past weekend. After falling 7-3 in the first game on six unearned runs, GSU rallied to win games two and three, 5-4 and 3-0.
In game three, pitcher McCall Langford hurled the first no-hitter of her career. In that game she struck out six batters while forcing one fly out and 14 grounders. The LaGrange, Ga., native lost her perfect game with two outs in the seventh inning after issuing a walk on a 3-2 count.
Over her last eight appearances, Langford is 5-2 with a 0.85 ERA, including 4-1 with a 0.49 ERA in her last five outings. For her efforts on the week she was named CAA Co-Pitcher of the Week, her second such accolade of the season. She currently sits fourth in the league in ERA (1.82) and third in strikeouts (82).
Senior Lauren Jones got off to a big start in conference play as the Stockbridge, Ga., native hit .625 on the weekend with five hits, four RBI, four runs scored, two homers and two walks while slugging 1.375 with an on-base percentage of .700. The 2010 All-CAA second teamer at first base sits second in the conference in RBI (21), tied for second in homers (6), third in total bases (49) and fourth in runs scored (18).
GSU's pitching rotation has improved greatly over the last couple of weeks as the Panthers now rank third in the conference with a 2.55 ERA. Over the last eight games, the staff has notched a 0.65 ERA. Not surprisingly, the Panthers are 6-2 during that time span and have reached .500 again overall for the first time since Feb. 20, when they were 5-5.
Fielding has also improved as the season has gone along for GSU, as it now sits third in the CAA in fielding percentage (.969) and first in double plays turned (9).
The Mocs (21-7, 5-0 SoCon) are off to their best start in school history and took two from rival Appalachian State this past weekend, 9-0 and 13-2. Earlier in the season GSU shut out the Mountaineers, 3-0. Chattanooga also swept Samford in three games and lost two to Georgia Tech, results similar to the Panthers. They are led by Frank Reed, who is the program's career leader in wins and has won four SoCon Coach of the Year awards. The Mocs have a formidable lineup with four batters hitting over .380 and three batters with 30-plus hits. Tiffany Baker and Michelle Fuzzard bring power to the lineup with nine and six home runs, respectively. In the circle the Mocs are paced by Kandice Irwin, who is 8-1 with a 1.59 ERA. She also has four saves and is tied with GSU's Erin Collins for third in the country.
Following the matchup with the Mocs, the Panthers will host CAA foe UNC Wilmington this weekend at Bob Heck Field. A doubleheader beginning at noon on Saturday will be followed by one game on Sunday at noon. Sunday will also be cupcake decorating day for fans. Anyone attending the contest will be able to make their own cupcakes while watching the Seahawks and Panthers.
