PANTHERSVILLE, Ga. ? Four Panthers posted at least two hits en route to pounding out 13 and scoring eight runs, as the Georgia State baseball team rallied to defeat Tennessee Tech 8-6 at The Field at Panthersville Wednesday afternoon. Matt Van Horn led the way, going 3-for-5, while Theo Asher scored twice and went 2-for-4.
Tennessee Tech (7-2-1) got on the board first for the second straight game, pushing across runs in the first and second innings. Sean Reilly drove in the first run with a single to center field in the first. In the second, Alex Henry's single nearly gave Tennessee Tech a two-run lead as Brandon Crossman tried to score from second, but Georgia State right fielder Matt Van Horn made a sharp throw on target to prevent the run from scoring. Later in inning, Thomas Nelson's single through the left side gave the Golden Eagles a 2-0 lead.
The Panther offense came alive in the fourth inning, scoring four runs off Golden Eagle starter Thomas Gray. Marc Mimeault led off the inning with a solo homer to left center field, his first of the season, to draw State within 2-1. Theo Asher tied the game a few batters later with a single that dropped into centerfield, scoring Chase Childers from second. Dusty Bennett put the Panthers ahead with a triple to right center, and later scored on Nick Hogan's single through that right side that put the Panthers up 4-2.
The Golden Eagles got back a run in the top of the fifth. Nelson led off the frame with a double, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored when Panther catcher Marc Mimeault's attempted pickoff ended up in left field.
Georgia State (9-1) added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Bradley Logan snuck a home run ball down the left field line, giving State a 5-3 lead. With two outs, Hogan tripled to deep center field and scored on Van Horn's single up the middle to give State a 6-3 lead.
State starter Adam Knight (1-0) threw five innings with four strikeouts. The righty gave up two earned runs and scattered six hits, benefiting from a defense that recorded two double plays. Knight left in the top of the sixth after surrendering a leadoff walk, but reliever John Locklear faced the minimum and kept the home team ahead, 4-3.
Will Palmer pitched a scoreless seventh for State, and registered a pickoff after issuing a walk, facing just three. Robert Hasenfelt made quick work of the Golden Eagles in the eighth, as the Panthers took a one-run lead into the bottom of the eighth.
With runners at the corners, State benefited from a passed ball, as Theo Asher scored from third while Van Horn moved to second. Jean-Michel Rochon-Salvas singled up the middle to bring home Van Horn, putting State up 8-3 entering the ninth.
Against Panther closer David Ferrer in the ninth, the Golden Eagles took advantage of a Panther fielding error as pinch hitter Michael Roeder reached to lead off the inning. Ferrer recorded a strikeout and fly out before issuing a walk to Nelson. Jake New made Ferrer and State pay with a three-run homer to right that closed the deficit to 8-6.
Following an infield single from Chris King, Ferrer slammed the door by striking out pinch hitter Tate McMillan on a called third strike.
Van Horn led the State offense, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and run scored. Asher, who scored the eventually game-winning run, went 2-for-4 and drove in a run. Hogan also collected two hits, including his triple, scoring and driving in a run.
“I am just more relaxed. I just have to sit back and let things happen,” said Van Horn about his approach at the plate. “Everybody played their part. Those last two runs [in the eighth] were huge because they turned out to be the game-winning runs.”
“We got a good performance from our pitching staff. Adam Knight executed the game plan and kept us in the game. We have a lot of confidence in our bullpen and know that we can pull out the close games in the later innings,” said assistant coach Brad Stromdahl. “Tennessee Tech played well and battled back late, but we are executing the little things that help teams win.”
Georgia State opens its Colonial Athletic Association schedule this weekend when James Madison visits. The teams square off in the opener Friday, March 7, at 6 p.m.
NOTES: Jean-Michel Rochon-Salvas posted his 628th career at bat, moving him past Rusty Bennett (2002-05) for eighth place in school history ... State moved to 5-1 since head coach Greg Frady took his leave of absence.
