The Georgia State baseball team used an offensive explosion on Wednesday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader with Alabama State, 20-9 and 14-3. The Panthers reached the 20 win plateau in record fashion, just 30 games, eclipsing the mark of 36 games set during last year's record setting year.
With the sweep, Georgia State improves to 21-10 on the season, while Alabama State falls to 14-13.
Senior Michael McCree broke out of an early season slump, going 8-for-11 with six runs scored and seven runs driven in the doubleheader.
“Today just shows that as much as you may be down, by hanging in there, anything can happen,” commented McCree. “Seeing a guy like Chase Childers bounce back like he has and go from batting .240 a week ago to now being one of the team leaders, inspired me and showed that I could turn it around quickly.”
In game one, McCree led the Panther attack, going 5-for-6 at the plate with four runs scored and four RBIs.
“I really focused today in batting practice and coach joked with me before the game that I needed to get five or six hits and get things going,” commented McCree. “I am glad that I was able to do it and hope that the team can use the momentum we built today going into this weekend.”
After trailing going into the bottom of the fourth inning, the Panther offense exploded for eight runs in both the fourth and fifth, as State took a 20-5 lead.
“It was a great day for the Panthers today,” commented head coach Greg Frady after the sweep. “I felt like we played good baseball and hopefully some good momentum going into this weekend.”
Senior Derek Simmons hit his fourth home run in five games, going 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and three RBI.
Senior Chase Childers continued his torid pace at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two runs score and two RBI. The senior went 4-for-4 with four RBIs in game two, improving to 22-for-33 over his last nine games, a .667 batting average. He is now 10-for-10 in three games this week.
Sophomore Jonathan Kolowich added a pair of hits in game one, while scoring two runs. Senior Theo Asher went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs.
Zach Chastain (1-0) pitched 3.2 innings of relief to earn the win. Chastain scattered four hits, while not allowing a run and striking out two after relieving starter David Ferrer.
Norris Kyles (1-2) earned the loss for Alabama State after allowing eight runs and nine hits in just one inning pitched.
The momentum continued into game two as the Panthers scored in every inning except the fifth.
Redshirt freshman Joey Wood went 3-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored, while senior Marc Mimeault finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Freshman Drew Parker got the start behind the plate, going 1-for-1 with two walks and three runs scored.
One of the highlights of the day came as senior pitcher Robinson Polanco made his first career at bat a memorable one, belting a two-run home run off the right field scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth.
Adam Knight (1-2) pitched extremely well for the Panthers, going 5.0 innings, allowing just two hits and one run, while striking out eight.
Freshman Ben Marshall and junior Bradley Logan pitched the final two innings of relief.
Neil Washington (0-1) earned the loss for the Hornets after pitching 1.0 inning, allowing three hits and two runs.
Georgia State will continue their five-game home stand on Friday as Old Dominion comes to Atlanta. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. The game will air live on WRAS-FM 88.5 beginning at 5:30 p.m. with Panther Sports Talk. Live stats will be provided via GeorgiaStateSports.com.
