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Head Coach Greg Frady
Senior Bradley Logan
Junior Ryan Fleming
Sophomore Justin Malone
ATLANTA - The Georgia State baseball team swept a doubleheader with North Carolina Central on Saturday afternoon at The Field at Panthersville, combining for 38 runs. State took game one 14-0, before blasting the Eagles in a 24-2 win in the nightcap.
In three games with the Eagles, the Panthers have scored 70 runs, coming out of an early season hitting slump in a big way.
Georgia State improved to 3-6 on the season, while North Carolina Central dropped to 0-7.
"We have a very hungry baseball team right now," commented head coach Greg Frady. "We think we have a good group that we are confident in, we just did not get off to the start that we wanted record wise. I think the team is playing with a little vengeance right now. We are hitting the ball well, playing some very good defense and our pitching staff is doing a great job."
After setting five team and two individual records on Friday night, the records continued to drop on Saturday afternoon. With two runs scored in game one, senior Bradley Logan established a new school record with 166 runs scored in his career. He moved ahead of Jean-Michel Rochon-Salvas (2005-08) who finished his career with 165.
"I can't put into words everything that Bradley has meant to this program. Bradley was my first recruit. He has improved every single year and been such a team player. He comes out to the ballpark everyday and treats everyone with so much respect. He deserves everything that he has coming to him for all the hard work he has put into improving his game."
With 2.0 innings of relief work in game one, sophomore Justin Malone has now pitched 16.1 innings without allowing a run, breaking the record of 15.2 innings held by David Hawkins during the 2002 season. Malone, who was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List, has allowed just two hits in 6.2 innings this season, holding opponents to a .091 batting average. He has not allowed a run since April 11th of last season.
"It is amazing what Justin is doing on the mound right now. Our entire organization has so much confidence in him every time he pitches. He does everything well and has such a commitment to this team, that he too deserves everything that is coming to him."
Malone was honored between games for being named to both the Louisville Slugger and NCBWA Freshman All-American Teams last season.
In the nightcap, junior Ryan Fleming tied the school record with eight RBIs in a game, as he belted a pair of home runs, the second being a grand slam over the right field wall.
Frady also set a milestone on Saturday, reaching the 100th win of his career in a Panther uniform after game one of the doubleheader. He reached the milestone in the fewest games of any Georgia State coach and trails only Mike Hurst for the most wins all-time in a Panther uniform.
The Panthers scored in each inning of game one, while holding the Eagles two just two hits. In the nightcap, they scored in every inning except for the fifth.
Junior Mark Micowski, who went 7-for-8 last night, continued his hot bat with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate in the first game, scoring three runs and belting his second home run of the season.
Sophomore Brandon Williams went 3-for-4 at the plate, with his first home run of the season, scoring twice and driving in five.
Redshirt-junior Brett Maxwell belted his first home run of the season, going 1-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and three RBIs.
Logan finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and three RBIs. Logan now has two career records in hand, also owning the all-time hit by pitch record with 30. He could set as many as 10 before the end of the year.
Junior Aidan Francis (1-1) earned the win, pitching 5.0 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out seven.
Malone combined with Francis for the shutout. Malone pitched the final two innings, allowing just one hit. It was the Panthers first shutout since last season, earning a 2-0 win over Michigan State on March 6th. Malone has been a part of all three shutouts during the last two seasons.
Joseph Cobb (0-2) took the loss for the Eagles. Cobb lasted 3.0 innings, allowing nine runs on eight hits, while walking six.
The bats continued to stay alive in game two as State batted around in each of the first two innings.
Fleming's 5-for-5 day included five runs scored and eight RBIs, tying the school record of eight shared by four others, most recently Chase Childers against Delaware on April 4th of last season.
Sophomore Brandon Williams went 2-for-2 at the plate with three runs scored and three RBIs.
Maxwell went 4-for-5 at the plate with three runs scored and three RBIs, while Carl Moniz continued his hot play at the plate, going 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored.
Junior Jeremy Gazerro (1-1) came in relief of Wes Grant to earn his first win. Gazerro pitched 4.0 innings, allowing just two hits and one run, striking out four.
Grant made his first appearance in a Panther uniform in the start, going 3.0 innings, allowing just five hits and one run, striking out five. He was on a pitch-count and was expected to only go a few innings.
Glenn Frye (0-2) picked up the loss for the Eagles. Frye lasted 2.0 innings, allowing 11 hits, 14 runs and walking four.
Georgia State and North Carolina Central will return to the field for the series finale on Sunday. First pitch is set for noon.
Live stats are provided for all Panther home games this season. Tickets for the game can be purchased at the box office, by calling 1-866-GA-State or by visiting any Ticketmaster location.
