Herd Falls on Walkoff Double in SBC Opener

ATLANTA, Ga. — Marshall Softball saw a range of emotions in the 7th inning with a game-tying solo home run by Diamond Leslie, only for the Georgia State Panthers to walk-off on a double to the gap to win the Sun Belt Conference opener, 2-1.

The Herd (17-9, 0-1 SBC) remained in the contest with 10 combined strikeouts from starter Paige Maynard and Jules King in relief, but ultimately were bitten by the Panthers' (18-9, 1-0) and its league-leading starter Makayla Stephens. GSU's ace currently is atop the SBC in wins, ERA, and opposing batting average.

MU at last did get to Stephens in the 7th with Leslie's one out solo shot. The nearby Alpharetta, Ga. native's sixth of the season was MU's second hit of the game.

Between Maynard and King, the duo combined to strand seven Panther baserunners, including five in scoring position.

The GSU game-winning double was the first hit to leave the infield against King. The top three hitters in the home lineup accounted for all six of the team's hits. The loss snaps an eight-game winning streak for the Herd. Friday was the first walk-off surrendered by MU in 2026.

UP NEXT

Game two between Marshall and Georgia State is at 3 p.m. Saturday.

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Team Stats

Diamond Leslie

Haleigh Adkins

Bella Gerlach

Sydni Burko

Players Mentioned

Jules King

Diamond Leslie

Paige Maynard

Marshall University Athletics