Atlanta, Ga. – Junior Rylee Butler homered as part of a career day that included three hits, but Western Carolina softball fell in nonconference action at Sun Belt foe Georgia State on Wednesday afternoon 6-4 at the Bob Heck Complex.
Butler led all players on Wednesday with her first career multi-hit game, posting three hits including the solo blast she connected on in the fifth. Sophomore Maya McPherson tallied a two-run double and both sophomore Lily Bell and senior Tessa Juett walked with WCU limited to just those four reaching base via a hit or walk.
In the circle, freshman Amanda Fulton tallied four strikeouts in 4.2 innings of relief work but didn't factor into Wednesday's decision.
Western Carolina wasted no time in the opening frame as Courtney Marks reached on a GSU error followed by a Butler single before McPherson doubled to left center to give the Catamounts a 2-0 lead after half an inning.
The Catamounts turned to Juett in the circle as she worked around a leadoff error with three straight outs to keep the lead at 2.
After a pair of Panthers errors in the second inning moved two into scoring position, the hosts tallied a two-out strikeout to erase the threat. Georgia State (6-14) then captured the lead in the second with two singles before a three-run homer gave the Panthers a 3-2 lead after two frames.
Following a quiet third inning, WCU pushed a runner to third base in the fourth inning but were unable to bring the run in. GSU added a run on a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 4-2.
Butler's leadoff solo blast in the fifth helped WCU cut the deficit to one, 4-3 after heading to the home half.
After Fulton worked her second 1-2-3 frame of relief appearance, the Catamounts were erased quickly in the sixth inning. Georgia State extended the lead in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI double followed by an RBI base hit to take a three-run lead to the seventh.
Bell walked to open the seventh and Marks quickly sacrificed her to second base before a wild pitch put her on third. Butler connected on her second run-scoring hit of the day with an RBI single to cut the deficit to two before the Panthers recorded back-to-back outs and claimed the two-run midweek victory.
Juett (0-5) got the start and tossed 1.1 innings, allowing three runs on three hits with a strikeout. Fulton pitched the final 4.2 innings in relief, allowing six hits and three runs with four strikeouts.
Kate Kastelic (2-1) got the win for the Panthers as she went the distance, allowing four hits and four runs with a pair of those earned. Kastelic also recorded six strikeouts for GSU.
Western Carolina (2-9) opens its home slate by hosting the Catamount Classic beginning on Friday, Feb. 28. The 10-game tournament will feature matchups between WCU, Presbyterian, N.C. A&T, and Rhode Island. Western Carolina's games over the first two days are scheduled for 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., with the tournament finale on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. All the Catamount Classic tournament details can be found at Tournament Central (LINK).
All 10 scheduled contests will feature live stats available at CatamountSports.com. Friday's doubleheader for WCU against the Aggies and Rams and Sunday's finale against N.C. A&T will be shown on ESPN+ (paid subscription required).
