TOWSON, Md. -- Georgia State's McCall Langford hurled her first career no-hitter and the first for the Panthers (15-15, 2-1 CAA) since 2008 as GSU defeated Towson (11-15, 1-2 CAA), 3-0, to claim the Colonial Athletic Association series.
Langford (7-7) struck out six batters and only allowed one ball to leave the infield. The first batter of the game flied out, while 14 batters grounded out. Only a walk on a 3-2 count with two outs in the bottom of the seventh prevented a perfect game for the LaGrange, Ga., native. Langford has now won four games in a row and has lowered her ERA to 1.89.
The last no-hitter for Georgia State was hurled by Alicia Mills in a five-inning, 21-0 victory over Western Carolina on Feb. 17, 2008. Earlier that same week Mills combined with Elizabeth Thomas to throw a no-hitter on Feb. 12, 2008 in a 19-0 GSU victory over Savannah State.
"I didn't realize I was perfect until the fifth inning or so," said Langford. "The last inning was nerve-racking, but after I walked the batter I just refocused and struck the last batter out. The infield was awesome behind me and our batters were hitting too. Since they were hitting I felt like I had to go out there and do my job."
"Winning the series was huge for us, especially after the way we played in game one," said Langford. "We were worried the weather would keep us from playing today so when we found out we would be playing, it lit a fire in us and we got so pumped up to play."
The Panthers opened the scoring in the fourth inning as Maddy Stanton cracked a double that plated Audrey Mason and Lauren Jones.
GSU added to its lead in the sixth as Mason singled, scoring Jones.
Jones led the way for the Panthers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Stanton had two RBI, while Mason had a run scored and an RBI. Pinch hitter Cassie Boese had the only other GSU hit.
Jones batted .625 with two homers, four RBI, five hits, four runs scored and two walks on the weekend while slugging 1.375 with a .700 on-base percentage.
"McCall's pitching was just amazing today," said interim head coach Roger Kincaid. "I have never seen her more focused, and I have never seen her pitcher better. Ever. She was in command from start to finish."
The Panthers, winners of six of their last eight, will hit the road Wednesday when they travel to Chattanooga, Tenn., to meet the Southern Conference's Chattanooga Mocs in a doubleheader. Game one will begin at 4 p.m. and the doubleheader can be followed via live stats and the GSU live blog.
