Junior Carl Moniz continued his hot play at the plate, including a second inning grand slam, to help lead the Georgia State baseball team to its third straight victory, a 10-5 win over Augusta State on Tuesday afternoon at The Field at Panthersville.
Georgia State reached the 10 win plateau in just 14 games, the second quickest to that mark in school history.
“We have started to get into a rhythm of playing again everyday and I think that is really helping,” commented head coach Greg Frady on the teams 40 runs in their last three games. “With us playing everyday, the batters are really getting tuned in and today we came out and really took care of business. We just played good baseball. We made just one error and only allowed one walk. When you do that and start hitting the long ball, things are going to go in your favor.”
The Panthers (10-4) got on the board first in the bottom of the second as senior Matt Van Horn extended his hitting streak to 13-games with a single to first.
After Van Horn stole second, freshman Brandon Williams continued his hot bat with a single to center. Senior Chase Childers singled in Van Horn to get State on the board. Sophomore Jonathan Kolowich was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Moniz.
Moniz hit his first grand slam and fourth home run of the year with a monster shot over the scoreboard to give the Panthers a 5-0 edge before the Jaguars could get out of the inning.
“With the bases loaded and the win blowing out, I really was just trying to hit a sac fly and get a run in,” commented Moniz. “It just kept carrying and I am glad it helped us get things going.”
Since being moved into the leadoff spot on Sunday, Moniz is 7-for-13 with three home runs, seven runs scored and has driven in eight.
“The ball just looks so big to me when I am at the plate. What makes it better is that I know that once I do my job, the guys behind me are just going to keep it going.”
Freshman Ben Marshall would pitch 3.0 innings, allowing seven hits and three runs, with four strikeouts, making his first collegiate start. After loading the bases with just one out in the top of the third, Marshall was able to get out of the jam as Jaguar Kevin Owens grounded into a double play.
Augusta State (13-12) got on the board with four runs in the top of the fourth. After loading the bases, Marshall was relieved by Will Campbell. Shannon Wilkerson would hit a double to left center to score two runs. Tristan Toorie would then single to single to center to cut the Panthers lead to one at 5-4 before Campbell got out of the inning.
State would plate two more in the bottom of the fourth as Derek Simmons hit his first home run of the year, a two run shot over the center field wall.
The Jaguars would get one more back in the top of the sixth to cut the Panther lead back to two.
Campbell (1-0) finished the game pitching 3.0 innings, allowing four hits and striking out three, giving up two runs for the win.
Freshman Nick Squeglia pitched the final three innings for his first save.
For Augusta State, Wilson Taylor (0-1) lasted 4.0 innings, giving up eight hits and seven runs.
The Panthers would score again in the bottom of the seventh as Simmons singled to center field. After stealing second, Simmons scored on a double by Williams down the left field line giving State a three-run advantage.
State would add two more in the bottom of the eighth, as Kolowich and senior Marc Mimeault both hit solo home runs.
Mimeault is 7-for-10 in his last three games, with five runs scored.
Georgia State will continue its six-game home stand on Friday as UT-Martin comes to town for the first of a three game series. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. Admission to the park is free of charge. Live stats will be available via GeorgiaStateSports.com.
