Senior Chase Childers walk-off grand slam sparked a wild celebration at home plate and topped off a crazy ninth inning as the Georgia State baseball team earned a 14-13 come-from-behind victory over Old Dominion on Saturday afternoon.
It marked the second straight come-from-behind win for the Panthers (23-10, 6-2 CAA) over the Monarchs (10-19, 4-7 CAA), as State now stands alone in second place in the conference.
Childers continued his pace as one of the nation's hottest hitters on Saturday. He is now 14-for-21 over the last six games, including 11 RBIs and a .692 on base percentage. The Panthers have won five-of-six during that stretch.
“Coach was telling me before I went up to the plate that they would probably come in on me early,” commented Childers. “I was just looking for something I could drive and I just set up looking for a fast ball in and I was just lucky enough that he gave me one I could drive. I have never had a first-hand experience like this and I feel very blessed for both myself and the team.”
Childers grand slam capped a five-run ninth inning rally as the Panthers had fallen behind 13-9 after giving up a grand slam in the top of the ninth. Not to be forgotten in the celebration, junior Carl Moniz led off the bottom of the ninth with a solo home run, his sixth of the season that gave Childers a chance to win it.
The one-out rally began with sophomore Jonathan Kolowich singling to center. Senior Nick Hogan continued the rally with a single to center and when senior Derek Simmons walked, the stage was set for Childers.
“That was just an unbelievable day, an unbelievable game for Georgia State University,” commented an ecstatic head coach Greg Frady after the game. “We are trying to make a run at being one of the top teams in the conference and I feel as though the team never gave in today. This is the greatest regular season baseball victory of my 27 year coaching career.”
Georgia State got things going early in the game, scoring four runs in the bottom of the second to take a 4-0 lead. Freshman Brandon Williams one-out two-run triple sparked the Panthers and Kolowich's single gave starter Will Palmer an early lead to work off of.
However, Old Dominion struck back quickly in the top of the fourth, scoring seven runs off Palmer, though only four were earned and Frady trusted his senior to calm down and pitch the Panthers into the later innings.
It worked, as Palmer lasted 7.0 innings, striking out 11, tying a career-high, but did not factor in the decision.
After scoring one in the bottom of the fifth on junior Bradley Logan's fourth home run of the season, the Panthers recaptured the lead in the bottom of the sixth as Hogan led off the inning with his second home run of the season.
Senior Derek Simmons, who finished the game 3-for-5 with two runs scored, continued the inning by singling to left field. Senior Matt Van Horn then homered to left recapturing the lead for the Panthers.
It was Van Horn's fifth home run of the season.
Senior Marc Mimeault continued the inning with his sixth home run of the season as the Panthers chased Monarch Cory Toth from the game without recording an out.
Old Dominion got one back in the top of the seventh off of reliever Justin Malone, but the fireworks would come in the ninth.
Sophomore Aidan Francis attempted to earn the save for the Panthers, but was only able to record one out, while giving up four Monarch runs, capped by a Josh Wright grand slam over the center field wall that appeared to give Old Dominion a come-from-behind-victory.
Zach Chastain (2-0) relieved Francis and got the final two outs of the inning to earn the victory.
Gerard Hall (0-2) earned the loss for the Monarchs, giving up Childers grand slam.
Hogan finished the game 3-for-6 with two runs scored, while Van Horn finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs.
The Panthers will conclude their three-game series with the Monarchs 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.
