Norfolk, Va. - Down to its final six outs and trailing by five runs, the Georgia State baseball team mounted a huge comeback to defeat Old Dominion 16-10 on Sunday afternoon and take the CAA opening series. As the Panthers rallied, sophomore closer Justin Malone shut-down the Monarchs over the final three-plus innings to earn the victory.
Georgia State improved to 14-10 overall, 2-1 in the CAA. The Panthers have won 14 of their last 18 games and are 14-5 in the month of March. Old Dominion fell to 12-15 on the season, 1-2 in the CAA.
"I am so proud of the team for never giving up," commented head coach Greg Frady. "We battled hard all day long. Mark Micowski and Jonathan Kolowich each came up with big hits. I was also proud that although ODU scored in each of the first seven innings, we never gave up a big inning and did not walk a single batter all day."
Malone, who was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List before the season and was a freshman all-american in 2009, entered the game in the bottom of the sixth and allowed just one hit from that point forward. He improved to 2-0 on the season and is holding opponents to a .154 batting average.
He also recorded a save in the Panthers 2-1 victory over Old Dominion on Saturday.
"Justin Malone was special all weekend on the mound for us. He gave us a chance today to come away with a very big win."
Trailing 10-5 entering the top of the eighth, the Panthers chased Old Dominion starter Chris Boggs, before the Monarch bullpen was credited with allowing 10 runs.
Boggs went 7.0 innings, allowing eight hits and six runs, four of which were earned, while striking out four.
Junior Ryan Fleming led off the eighth with a walk that removed Boggs from the game. Sophomore Brandon Williams reached on an error before junior Rob Lind singled to left to load the bases.
The Monarchs committed their second error of the inning, allowing junior Carter Sackett to reach base and cut the deficit to four as Fleming scored.
On an 0-2 pitch, junior Mark Micowski doubled to left center, clearing the bases and cutting the Monarch lead to 10-9. Redshirt-sophomore Joey Wood then tied the game with a single up the middle, plating Micowski as the Panthers batted around.
Micowski went 2-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored and three RBIs, along with two walks.
Malone quieted the Monarchs in the bottom of the eighth, giving way to the Panthers to score six more times in the top of the ninth.
Sackett doubled down the line following a Rob Lind single to shortstop to start the inning.
Lind was 3-for-6 at the plate with two runs scored.
Junior Jonathan Kolowich followed, belting his fourth home run of the season, clearing the bases to give State a 13-10 lead. It was the second pinch-hit home run of Kolowich's career.
Later in the inning, Williams singled to left, scoring senior Bradley Logan and Wood.
Williams finished the game 2-for-6 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Logan went 3-for-6 at the plate with a pair of runs scored, while Wood added a pair of hits and two runs scored as well.
Panther starter Ryan Moore went 3.1 innings, allowing 12 hits and seven runs, all earned, while striking out five. Junior Aidan Francis pitched 2.1 innings of relief, holding the Monarchs to four hits and two runs, while striking out a pair.
Phil McCarthy (0-1) was credited with the loss for Old Dominion. He pitched one inning, allowing five hits and five runs, all of which were earned.
Josh Wright led Old Dominion with four hits, while shortstop Chris Buss knocked in four runs for the Monarchs on three hits. Jake McAloose added three hits and scored three runs in the loss.
The Panthers will return home for a single midweek game on Tuesday, before heading to Baltimore next weekend to face Towson. Tickets are now on sale for the showdown with Georgia Tech, the first since the two teams met in last year's NCAA Regional contest.
The first 50 fans to call and purchase tickets to the game will receive an Inaugural Season Football poster signed by Coach Bill Curry. Coach Curry will also be present at the game to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The pitch will be thrown promptly at 6 O'clock. So Remember, Coach Curry is throwing out the first pitch. Tech at State, don't be late!
To order tickets please call 1-866-GA-STATE. You can also log on to the web at GeorgiaStateSports.com or visit any Ticketmaster location.
Live stats can be found by visiting GeorgiaStateSports.com.
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