ATLANTA-Ryan Fleming's walk-off single in the 10th inning lifted Georgia State (11-4, 1-0 CAA) to a 6-5 victory over Towson (4-7-1, 0-1 CAA) in its Colonial Athletic Association opener Friday at the Field at Panthersville.
With one out in the 10th, Brett Maxwell belted a double to right center off reliever Tyler Austin (0-1). After Austin walked Brandon Williams to set up a force, Fleming, on a 3-2 count, singled sharply to center to easily score Maxwell.
"I was a little surprised they were going to pitch to me," said Fleming, who had been walked a career-high four times in the game. "I got a count where I knew what he was going to pitch. I got the opportunity and I took it."
Friday's win is the Panthers' second walk-off victory of the season at the Field at Panthersville, after an 8-7 triumph on Feb. 26 over Western Illinois in 12 innings.
Jake Dyer (2-0) pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief to earn the victory.
"It's an awesome way for us to start conference," head coach Greg Frady said. "In conference baseball, everyone plays well. That's a good team. I'm really happy the way it worked out and we could walk off a winner here tonight."
Georgia State jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning. After the Panthers scored two runs on a bases loaded double play and a walk, Maxwell delivered a two-run single.
Towson tied the game with four runs in the fourth. After a pair of walks and a single loaded the bases with one out, Brandon Gonella drove in one run with a single. Two more runs scored on a wild pitch when GSU catcher Carter Sackett could not locate the ball, and Dominic Fratantuono's sacrifice fly brought home the fourth run.
Georgia State regained the lead when Bryan Condotta led off the fifth with a single and came around to score on a wild pitch, but Towson answered with Andrew Parker's sacrifice fly in the sixth, tying the game at 5-5.
Neither starter figured in the decision. Georgia State's righthander Justin Malone went 5.1 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Towson righty Sean Thompson allowed just one hit but walked five and was charged with four runs in just 1.2 innings.
Nick Squeglia relieved Malone and contributed three scoreless innings to keep the game tied.
The series continues with a 1 p.m. game Saturday at Panthersville.
