ATLANTA-Ryan Fleming's run-scoring double in the eighth inning brought home the winning run as Georgia State defeated Towson, 5-4, Saturday at the Field at Panthersville to clinch the first Colonial Athletic Association series of the season.
The hit was the second straight game-winner for Fleming, who came through with a walk-off hit in the 10th inning of Friday night's victory.
"I was just trying to do all I could to help," said Fleming. "It worked out for me, but the most important thing is we have two big wins this weekend, so far."
The Panthers have won three straight games to improve to 12-4, 2-0 CAA, while Towson falls to 4-8-1, 0-2 CAA.
With the game tied at 4-4 in the eighth, Rob Lind and Brandon Williams delivered back-to-back singles off reliever Mike Volpe (1-1) to put runners at the corners with one out. Then Fleming belted his double to the right field corner, scoring Lind with the go-ahead run.
"What a special two days Ryan has had for us," coach Greg Frady said. "He's playing some really good baseball. Our entire team played well and to start 2-0 in conference play is certainly the start we wanted."
Will Campbell (3-0) set down the Tigers in order in the ninth to clinch the victory. The senior right-hander pitched three innings, allowing one run on two hits and striking out three in earning the win.
Trailing 3-1, Georgia State moved ahead with three runs in the fifth inning. Lind led off with a triple and scored on a single by Williams. After a walk to Fleming and a sacrifice by Drew Shields, Theo Asher delivered a single that brought home two runs when Brandon Gonnella misplayed the ball in left field.
Towson answered with a run in the seventh as Nick Natoli's RBI double tied the game at 4-4, leading into Fleming's eighth-inning heroics.
The Panthers got on the scoreboard with a run in the first inning before falling behind 3-1. Towson picked up a run in the second on an RBI groundout by Gonnolla and two more in the third on Natoli's second RBI double and a run-scoring fielder's choice.
Lind finished the day 3-for-3 with a triple, two walks and two runs scored for GSU.
The Panthers get their shot in Sunday's series finale to pay back the Tigers for a sweep last season in Towson.
"With them sweeping us last year, it's the motivation we need because we know that it's going to be really tough," says Frady. "We've got to finish."
First pitch Sunday is set for 12 noon in Panthersville.
--30--
