The Georgia State baseball team concluded its six-game road trip with a 22-6, seven-inning win over Florida A&M on Tuesday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field. The Panthers tied the school record for runs in a game with 22, originally set against Virginia Tech in 1979.
“I think today was a really great team win coming off a long multiple-game tournament,” commented head coach Greg Frady. “We got home early Monday morning and to come back down to Florida and play extremely well today, I am very pleased with the team.”
Senior catcher Marc Mimeault finished 3-for-5 at the plate, scoring three times and driving in a pair.
“As a team, we talked a lot about not panicking over the weekend when the bats were not really going for us,” commented Mimeault. “I think today showed that we could get things going, while also being very disciplined at the plate and taking some walks. I have worked to become really comfortable at the plate with two strikes and I just feel like I am hitting the ball really well right now.”
The Panthers (9-4) got things going with a six-run outburst in the first inning. State loaded the bases with three straight walks to Carl Moniz, Derek Simmons and Bradley Logan. Mimeault then singled to left field to get the Panthers on the board, 2-0.
After senior Matt Van Horn reached on a sacrifice error to drive in Logan, senior Chase Childers singled to put State ahead 4-0. Sophomore Brandon Williams would single down the right field line to put the Panthers ahead 6-0 before the Rattlers were able to get out of the inning.
Senior pitcher John Locklear (3-0) became the Panthers first three-game winner of the season. Locklear finished the game with 6.0 innings pitched, scattered seven hits, while striking out eight.
“It was great when the offense could give me a big lead like that after the first inning,” commented Locklear. “It makes pitching a lot easier and with the other team already on their heels, I just needed to pitch strikes and keep the momentum going.”
State would add on another run in the top of the second as senior Van Horn extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Van Horn doubled down the right field line, scoring Simmons and giving the Panthers a seven run advantage.
The Rattlers (4-6) would get on the board in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs off Locklear.
The Panthers would come back with one in the top of the third as Williams would single to left field and score on three passed balls by Rattler starter Tim Jones.
Jones (0-1) lasted 4.0 innings, allowing six hits, eight runs, giving up five walks and striking out five Panther batters.
Florida A&M would score twice in the bottom of the third to cut the deficit to three, before Georgia State really got things going.
The Panthers would score four times in the fifth, nine times in the sixth and one more in the seventh before the game was called.
Moniz and Williams each added three hits, while every Panther started scored at least one run, including Van Horn and Kolowich, who each scored four times.
Van Horn, Williams and Moniz all drove in three runs apiece.
Georgia State will start a six-game home stand on Wednesday as Augusta State travels to Atlanta. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m. Admission to the park is free of charge. Live stats will be available via GeorgiaStateSports.com.
