Towson's two three-run home runs were too much for the Georgia State baseball team to overcome on Friday night as the Tigers took game one of the three game series, 9-6. The Panthers will look to rebound on Saturday and clinch a spot in the CAA Championship in Wilmington, N.C. with a win.
The loss snapped the Panthers (31-19, 11-8 CAA) five game winning streak and was their first loss during their season high 11-game home stand. Towson improved to 26-22 and 10-9 in the CAA.
“The game came down to two pitches,” commented head coach Greg Frady afterwards. “Giving up two three-run home runs in close, tight, conference games are not going to lead to good things. We did not play normal Georgia State baseball, but I know that we will bounce back tomorrow and it will be a new day.”
Towson got on the board in the top of the first as Austin Harclerode hit his sixth home run of the season, a three-run shot to left field. Those would be the only runs that Panther starter Aidan Francis would allow until the sixth inning as State clawed back into the game.
Tiger starter Tyler Austin held the Panthers scoreless until the bottom of the third when senior Nick Hogan scored on a Chase Childers groundout, cutting the deficit to two.
Hogan scored again in the bottom of the fifth after walking to lead off the inning. The senior scored on junior Bradley Logan's single to left. Senior Marc Mimeault tied the game with a single to center, scoring Childers.
Hogan finished the game 2-for-3 with three runs scored. He leads the team with 52 runs scored and moved into a four-way tie for seventh on the all-time single season list.
Austin was relieved by Zach Umberger after going 4.2 innings and allowing three runs on five hits. He would not figure into the decision.
The Panthers kept the bats alive in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three more times to take a 6-3 lead. Moniz led-off the inning with a perfect bunt single and advanced on a Justin Malone sac bunt.
Hogan followed with his second walk of the game and scored, along with Moniz, when Simmons doubled to left center, putting the Panthers ahead 5-3.
Childers followed by singled thru the right side, scoring Simmons and giving the Panthers a three-run advantage.
The Tigers got one back in the top of the seventh, cutting the deficit to two on a Ben Winter double to Center.
Francis was relieved by senior Robinson Polanco in the eighth, who made his third relief appearance in the last three CAA contests. Francis went 7.1 innings, allowing seven hits and five runs, while striking out four, but would not factor into the decision.
Towson quickly got to Polanco who gave up a three-run home run to Chris Wychock, his 14th of the season, as the Tigers retook the lead, 7-6.
Josh Squatrito relieved Umberger to start the bottom of the eighth. Umberger (4-3) went 2.1 innings, allowing five hits and three runs to earn the win.
The Tigers added two more runs in the top of the ninth and Squatrito earned his seventh save of the season after allowing the Panthers just two ninth inning hits.
Hogan made it interested for the Panthers, flying out to the wall with two outs.
Polanco (3-2) took the loss for the Panthers after allowing four runs, three of which were earned, over 1.1 innings.
The two teams will return to the field tomorrow for game two of the series. First pitch on Saturday and Sunday are both scheduled for 1 p.m. Senior Day activities will begin at 12:45 p.m. on Sunday.
Live stats will be provided for all three contests via GeorgiaStateSports.com.
