ATLANTA - Senior Ryan Moore took a shutout into the ninth inning, as Mark Micowski and Carl Moniz each hit home runs to lead the Georgia State baseball team to a 6-3 win and sweep of Hofstra on Sunday afternoon at the Field at Panthersville.
For the third straight game, a Panther starting pitcher went at least 8.0 innings. Moore recorded one out in the ninth, before allowing a three-run home run to Hofstra's Ethan Paquette, to be relieved by sophomore Justin Malone.
Moore went 8.1 innings, scattering six hits and striking out seven. The senior did not allow a walk and needed just 95 pitches to record 25 outs, improving to 2-1 this year. During one five-inning stretch, Moore retired 14 straight Hofstra batters.
"I felt no pressure on the mound today," commented Moore. "I just wanted to come out and give our team a chance at the sweep. Coach McFerrin and I have been working on some things and everything just clicked today."
Malone recorded the final two outs of the game to earn his second save of the year. The NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List member now has nine saves in his career, just one shy of the Georgia State all-time record.
The Panthers masterful pitching dominated the Pride in all three games of the series. Junior David Buchanan pitched a complete game on Friday night, following by eight innings by Charley Olson on Saturday.
With the win, Georgia State improved to 17-15 overall, 5-4 in the CAA. Hofstra, which entered the weekend undefeated in conference action, dropped to 10-16 overall, 3-3 in the CAA.
Moore received all of the run support he needed in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Bradley Logan dropped a perfect bunt with two outs and scored a batter later when junior Ryan Fleming doubled down the left field line to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
Micowski belted a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth, his fourth of the season, to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead.
Moniz added a three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh, his sixth of the season to put the Panthers ahead 6-0. It was Georgia State's 59th home run of the season.
Jared Rogers (2-5) took the loss for the Pride, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing five hits and three runs, all of which were earned.
Scott A'Hara led Hofstra at the plate with a pair of hits.
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. Live stats will be provided via GeorgiaStateSports.com.
Tickets the next home game and 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. Georgia State will return home next Friday night to face the Air Force Academy beginning at 6 p.m.
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