Please note that the series finale on Sunday, originally scheduled for 1 p.m. has been moved to a 12:30 p.m. start.
Audio
Head Coach Greg Frady
Senior Carl Moniz
Junior Charley Olson
ATLANTA - For the second straight day, the Georgia State baseball team got a solid pitching performance and earned an 8-2 win over Hofstra on Saturday night at the Field at Panthersville. Junior Charley Olson went 8.0 innings and did not allow an earned run, striking out 10 for the victory.
Olson improved to 2-4 on the season, allowing just five hits and two runs, neither of which was earned. On Friday night, junior David Buchanan pitched a complete game for the Panthers who will look to sweep Hofstra on Sunday.
With the win, Georgia State improved to 16-15 overall, 4-4 in the CAA. Hofstra, which entered the weekend undefeated in conference action, dropped to 10-15 overall, 3-2 in the CAA.
"Anytime you have two starters to do what our guys have done the last two nights, it gives the team a lot of confidence," commented head coach Greg Frady on his pitchers performances. "We are playing well right now and I have all the confidence in the world that Ryan Moore will be able to continue that pattern on Sunday."
Senior Carl Moniz led the Panther offense, going 4-for-5 at the plate with a home run, five RBIs a run scored. That followed his 3-for-4 performance at the plate during Friday night's contest.
Junior Mark Micowski led off the bottom half of the first inning with a double to right center and later scored when Moniz singled to second, giving the Panthers a 1-0 first inning lead.
Hofstra tied the game in the third. Matt Watkins led off the inning by reaching on an error and scored as Mike Walraven hit a sacrifice fly to deep left.
Georgia State quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning when redshirt-junior Brett Maxwell led off with a double down the left field line. He scored on an error by Hofstra shortstop Matt Ford, giving the Panthers a 2-1 lead.
The Pride tied the game with a run in the top of the fourth on an errant throw by catcher Shane Hammond, attempting to pick off Ethan Paquette at third.
State finally pulled away in the bottom of the sixth as Rob Lind led off the inning with a single and scored when junior Shane Hammond followed with a double down the left field line to put the Panthers ahead 3-2.
Lind finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored.
Moniz followed with a double, scoring Micowski and Logan to put Georgia State ahead 6-2.
The Laval, Quebec native added a two run home run in the bottom of the eighth, as he finished the game 4-for-5 at the plate with five RBIs and a run scored.
Sophomore Justin Malone pitched a perfect ninth, striking out two.
Hofstra starter Sean Monaghan did not factor into the decision after pitching 4.2 innings, allowing eight hits, but just two runs.
Joe Burg (0-2) took the loss in relief, pitching just one-third of an inning, but allowing one run. He was one of seven Hofstra pitchers to see the mound on Saturday night.
Matt Ford led the Pride at the plate, going 3-for-4.
The two teams will return to the field on Sunday afternoon for the series finale at 12:30 p.m. Senior Ryan Moore will take to the mound as the Panthers look to sweep the series.
After this weekend, the Panthers will travel to Macon on Tuesday to face Mercer at 6 p.m. The game will air live on WRAS-FM 88.5 with Panther Sports Talk beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets for all home games can be purchased by calling 1-866-GA-STATE. Fans can also log on to the web at GeorgiaStateSports.com or visit any Ticketmaster location to purchase tickets.
Live stats will be provided via GeorgiaStateSports.com.
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