Down one run heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, senior Nick Hogan helped spark a late rally as the Georgia State baseball team earned a 3-2 win over Old Dominion to start a three-game series at Panthersville on Friday afternoon.
The win improved the Panthers to 22-10 on the season and 5-2 in CAA play, while the Monarchs fell to 10-18 and 4-6 in conference action.
“I am very proud of the team today,” commented head coach Greg Frady. “One of the things that I am most proud of is the fact that we came back at the end. If we are going to make a run at being one of the top teams in the CAA, we have to win these close games at the end. Nick Hogan pinch-hitting in the eighth was a senior, veteran move on his part and really helped spark us to the win.”
Hogan started the Panther rally in the bottom of the eighth with State down a run. The rally started with Hogan battling Monarch starter Brett Harris for a walk. Hogan advanced to second on senior Joey Wood's sacrifice bunt and moved to third on a balk. Senior Derek Simmons, who went 3-for-4, doubled Hogan in to tie the game.
“I was really just going up to the plate looking for a good pitch to hit,” commented Hogan. “Fortunately, he just threw me three balls in a row to start off and I was able to take advantage of it. We just really wanted this game today. I think Marc's (Mimeault) play at the end of the game showed how hard we are willing to play to win.”
Sophomore Jonathan Kolowich pinch-ran for Simmons and advanced to third on a Chase Childers single to third base. Kolowich would come across the plate with what would be the winning run when reliever Gerard Hall threw a wild pitch.
Mimeault ended the game in the top of the ninth, sliding into the brick backstop to make the final out of the game.
Sophomore Aidan Francis (3-0) closed the door on the Monarchs, pitching 3.2 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just three hits.
“I was brought on to the team this year to do exactly what I was fortunately able to do over those last few innings,” commented Francis. “I knew that if I could put up some zeros, I could give our team a chance to win.”
Early in the game, Old Dominion got on the board in the first inning as Max Most led off the game with a walk. After Hall grounded out and Most advanced to third on a stolen base. Jake McAloose hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Most and giving the Monarchs a 1-0 lead.
Senior Robinson Polanco pitched 5.0 innings, scattering five hits and allowing just one run. Polanco struck out four, while walking five, but did not factor in the decision.
The Monarchs struck again in the top sixth as Will Campbell relieved Polanco. Chris Buss singled to lead off the inning. Kenny Stoneback then reached on an error by senior Derek Simmons, giving the Monarchs first and second. Most put the Monarchs ahead 2-0 on a single to center, before the Panthers got one back in the bottom of the seventh.
Mimeault cut the deficit to one with a single, scoring junior Bradley Logan.
Robbie Watkins (0-3) earned the loss for Old Dominion. He allowed two hits and one run, without recording an out.
Senior Chase Childers attempt at NCAA history fell just short, but he still managed to go 2-for-4 on the day. Childers had been 12-for-12 at the plate since the seventh inning of last Sunday's game at Delaware and reached base in 15 straight plate appearances. He fell two hits shy of the NCAA mark and just three plate appearances short of tying the record.
Monarch Donnie Corsner finished the game 3-for-3, while Hall, Harris and Chris Buss eached collected a pair of hits.
The Panthers will continue their three-game with the Blue Hens on Saturday at 1 p.m. The series finale will be on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Georgia State will return to the road on Tuesday and travel to Birmingham to face Samford. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. Live stats will be provided via GeorgiaStateSports.com.
