The Georgia State baseball team belted four home runs and earned their 31st victory of the season with a 14-9 win over Atlanta Christian on Thursday afternoon. The Panthers (31-18) extended their winning streak to a season-high tying five games as they prepare for their final CAA series of the season with Towson beginning on Friday.
With six regular season games remaining, State is now just two wins shy of tying the school record set just last season of 33. A win on Friday night will secure the Panthers a spot in the CAA Championship beginning May 20th in the Wilmington.
“Today turned out to be exactly what we hoped to accomplish,” commented head coach Greg Frady after the game. “We got a lot of guys who had not been playing a lot of at bats and some time in the field. I also want to congratulate Joel Reeves who got back after battling through an arm injury to give us five strong innings. Joey Wood's three-run home run really opened the game up late when we needed it, so overall, I am pleased with today's outcome.”
Reeves, who would not factor into the decision, allowed eight hits over five innings, giving up six runs, only two of which were earned. It was his first start of the season and just fifth appearance after battling injuries all year.
“I have been here for three years and basically been hurt for two of them,” commented Reeves. “Just to go out there for probably one last time was a lot of fun. Getting a win for the team is what was really important, but it was great to get out there one more time and have some fun with the guys.”
The Chargers got on the board in the top of the first as lead-off man Bryon Williams scored on a groundout by Jeff Mitchell.
The Panthers quickly struck back with two in the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore Joey Wood led off the inning by being hit by a pitch and scored when Charger starting pitcher Jacob Moore threw wild attempting to pick-off freshman Justin Malone.
Malone later scored on junior Bradley Logan's double down the left field line, as State went ahead 2-1.
The Chargers got four in the top of the second to take a 5-2 lead after it appeared as though it would be a quick inning. With two outs, Malone, playing shortstop, threw wide of Aaron Schmitz at first base. Atlanta Christian managed to bat around, plating four runs before Reeves could get out of the inning.
Junior Carl Moniz cut the deficit to one in the bottom of the third with his eighth home run of the season, a two run shot to right center.
Freshmen Drew Parker and Daniel Blaustein followed with a pair of singles, chasing Moore from the game for Tyler Marchman.
Moore did not factor in the decision after going 2.2 innings, allowing seven hits and five runs.
Freshman Chris Hallum followed with a single to left field, scoring Parker and tying the score at five.
The Panthers took the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Wood walked to lead off the inning. He later scored after stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch before Moniz grounded out to the first.
The two teams exchanged runs in the fifth before the Chargers scored a pair in the top of the sixth to take a one run lead.
Freshman Nick Squeglia (4-0) relieved Reeves in the top of the sixth, allowing both runs. Squeglia pitched two innings, allowing just one hit for the victory.
The Panther bats got hot in the seventh as a pair home runs opened the game up. Joey Wood hit his first home run of the season, a three-run shot to left center, scoring Schmitz and Daniel Blaustein.
Wood finished the game 1-for-2 with three runs scored and three driven in.
Senior Derek Simmons immediately followed with his eighth home run of the season, putting the Panthers ahead 11-8.
The Chargers cut the deficit to two in the top eighth before the Panthers plated three runs in the bottom half on the inning. Senior Marc Mimeault hit a three-run home run, his team-high 13th of the season, putting the Panthers by the final score. It moved the senior into a tie for eighth place on the all-time single season home run list.
Freshman Ben Marshall and redshirt-junior David Ferrer pitched the final two innings, allowing just two hits combined.
Steve Ciupak got the loss for the Chargers, allowing three runs in just two-thirds of an inning. Ciupak gave up the home run to Wood in the seventh.
Atlanta Christian dropped to 28-22 on the season.
Georgia State will look to remain perfect on their 11-game home-stand on Friday as Towson makes the trip to Atlanta for the Panthers final CAA games of the season. The game will air live on WRAS-FM 88.5 beginning at 5:30 p.m. with Panther Sports Talk. Live stats will be available via GeorgiaStateSports.com.
