PANTHERSVILLE, Ga.--Nine Georgia State pitchers combined to one-hit Georgia Tech, but three bases loaded walks in the third inning and a complete-game shutout enabled the Yellow Jackets to defeat the homestanding Panthers 3-0.
"I thought for the most part our pitchers did an outstanding job tonight," said Panthers head coach Greg Frady. "We just had one outing that slowed us down and we weren't able to get the clutch hits when we needed them tonight."
Senior Charlie Pelt outhit the visitors by himself with three hits on the evening, including a pair of doubles to give him 51 in his career. Georgia Tech (12-10) got their only hit of the game on a leadoff double in the third by Danny Payne. Payne would score the decisive run when he came in on the first of three consecutive bases loaded walks issued by Panthers pitchers.
Luke Gordon and Matt Van Horn had the other hits for State (11-12), as the Panthers had five hits on the evening. The closest State came to scoring a run was in the bottom of the third when Gordon was hit by a pitch, then reached second on a sacrifice bunt. With two out, Van Horn reached on an infield hit, but Gordon continued to run around third. Tech was able to throw home and retire Gordon in a rundown to end the threat.
State would threaten again in the sixth and the ninth after two-out doubles in each inning by Pelt; but the Panthers couldn't get a run home as Tech came away with the win.
Eddie Burns was outstanding in his winning effort (1-1), going the distance and giving up five hits and two walks while fanning four. Burns threw 93 pitches on the evening. Bobby Bennett (1-4) took the loss, giving up three earned runs on a hit and three walks. Will Palmer, Joel Reeves, Robert Hasenfelt, Adam Bowling, Andy Reid, Jeramy Compton, Dustin Carder, and Kevin Dooley all also saw action for the Panthers.
Georgia State returns to action this Friday when they travel to Fairfax, Va., to take on George Mason in Colonial Athletic Association play. First pitch on Friday is slated for 2:30 p.m.
