The Georgia State baseball team attempted a late, two-out rally, scoring three times in the bottom of the ninth, but fell just short, losing to Towson, 7-6 on Saturday afternoon. The tying run reached first base before senior Marc Mimeault struck out to end the game.
Mimeault finished the game 3-for-5, raising his batting average to .400 on the season.
The Panthers fell to 31-20 on the season and 11-9 in CAA play. Towson improved to 27-22, 11-9 in the CAA. Georgia State still controls its own destiny to reach the CAA Championship in Wilmington, N.C. beginning on May 20th. A win on Sunday, Senior Day, will return State to the tournament after missing out on it a year ago.
“Obviously, I am disappointed with the loss,” commented head coach Greg Frady. “However, I am pleased that this team has a never give up attitude. I love the fact we feel like the game is never over when we have an at bat left. We could not have asked for any more at the end of the game. Towson is a very good team and is doing what they need to do to get the wins. This has been a very highly contested series and I know that tomorrow will be no different.”
The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second as Chris Wychock doubled to left center, scoring Austin Harclerode.
The Panthers tied the game in the bottom of the third on senior Michael McCree's single to right, scoring freshman Brandon Williams.
Harclerode followed with a two run home run, his six of the year, in the top of the sixth to give the Tigers a two-run lead.
State fought back in the bottom of the sixth as senior Derek Simmons walked to lead off the inning. He later scored when junior Bradley Logan grounded into a fielder's choice. The run cut the Panther deficit to one.
Aaron Gabrielian led off the top of the seventh with a double to right field for the Tigers. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, he scored when Ben Winter singled to center, as Towson regained a two-run lead.
Spencer Patton relieved Towson starter Drew Permision in the bottom of the seventh. Permision went 6.1 innings, allowing six hits and two runs, improving to 3-2 on the season. He walked three, while striking out six.
State got one back in the bottom of the seventh when senior Chase Childers singled to left center, scoring senior Michael McCree.
Matt Collins led off the top of the eighth with a solo home run over the center field wall, giving Towson its third two-run lead of the day.
Will Campbell then relieved senior Will Palmer (3-5), who pitched 7.0 innings, allowing nine hits and five runs, while striking out three and walking just two for the loss.
The Tigers added two more in the top of the ninth off Campbell to take a four-run lead. Kevin Collins doubled to center, scoring Gary Helmick. Collins later scored when Steve Yarsinsky hit a sacrifice fly.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, senior Derek Simmons hit a solo home run, his ninth of the season over the left field wall. Childers followed with a walk before Logan singled thru the left side of the infield.
Senior Matt Van Horn singled to right, scoring Childers and Logan to cut the deficit to one before Towson closer Josh Squatrito was able to get out of the inning, striking out Mimeault.
Simmons, Childers and Van Horn each had two hits for the Panthers.
The two teams will return to the field on Sunday for the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Senior Day activities will begin at approximately 12:45 p.m. Live stats will be provided via GeorgiaStateSports.com.
