The Georgia State baseball team continued to add to its best start in school history with a 14-7 win over Oglethorpe on Wednesday afternoon. The Panthers improved to 17-8 on the season, the best 25 game start in the history of the program.
“It means a lot to me and a lot to our team,” commented head coach Greg Frady on the team's start to the season. “As a coach, you just get caught up in the day-to-day responsibilities of playing games and practicing and don't always think about those things. I do appreciate history and what has gone on here before, but I think that is something that I will reflect more on after the season is over.”
It was also a historic April 1 night, as with a walk in the bottom of the sixth inning, senior Chase Childers set a new all-time record for walks in a career with 99, eclipsing the mark set by Rusty Bennett in 2005.
“It is definitely an honor,” commented Childers. “It was actually a surprise to me as I didn't realize that I was that close to it. I have tried to just continue to take coach's advice and stay disciplined at the plate. Thankfully it has worked out for me and I am truly honored.”
The Panthers took advantage of 12 Stormy Petrel walks in all, including four to Childers, as he reached 100 career walks in the sixth. Even with 14 runs scored, State left 15 runners on base.
“We had been swinging at some balls too quickly,” stated Frady. “No team is good when you have to try and flip on a switch to win, but I think tonight we got back into the mode of baseball that we want to play.”
Georgia State got on the board quickly in the first inning as Childers singled home senior Derek Simmons to give the Panthers a quick one-run edge. The Panthers would score again on a double-steal by Childers and freshman Brandon Williams as State went ahead 2-0.
State added three more runs in the bottom of the second as Simmons and Childers each had RBI singles.
Oglethorpe starter Sean Tuttle (1-1) would last just two innings, allowing five hits and five runs, while walking three.
The Stormy Petrels got on the board in the top of the third, scoring four times off starter Ben Marshall. The freshman would be relieved by freshman Nick Squeglia (3-0) in the fourth after going 3.0 innings, allowing four hits and four runs on a day where the Panthers used six total pitchers.
Senior Nick Hogan would single in the bottom half of the inning, scoring sophomore Aaron Schmitz to give the Panthers a 6-4 lead.
The Panthers would continue to pour on the runs in the bottom of the fourth, scoring six times to take a commanding 12-4 lead.
Freshman Drew Parker collected his first career hit in the inning, while Childers tied the career walk mark.
Oglethorpe would score their final three runs of the game in the top of the fifth, before the combination of Joel Reeves, David Ferrer, Zach Chastain and Justin Malone pitched the final four innings, allowing just four hits and no runs. The pitching staff combined to strike out 13 Oglethorpe batters.
Five Panther batters finished the game with multiple hits, including Childers who was 2-for-2.
Parker finished the game with two runs scored, while Schmitz had three.
Sophomore Jonathan Kolowich hit his fourth home run of the season, a solo shot in the top of the seventh.
The Panthers will have a day off before returning to conference play on Friday, facing Delaware for the beginning of a three game series. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. on Friday. Live stats will be available via GeorgiaStateSports.com.
