Newark, Del.-Panther outfielder Mark Micowski went 4-for-5 with two RBIs but Delaware (14-12, 7-3 CAA) overcame a three-run first inning deficit to defeat Georgia State (21-7, 4-3 CAA) in Friday's Colonial Athletic Association series opener, 10-5, at Bob Hannah Stadium.
Delaware junior right hander Eric Young (3-2) earned the win by holding the Panthers to four runs over 6.1 innings, striking out three and walking two. GSU senior Aidan Francis (4-1) took the loss, his first since April 18 of last season.
The Panthers jumped in front with three runs in the top of the first inning off Young, aided by four straight singles to start the game. Brandon Williams' bases loaded base hit brought home Micowski for the game's first run. GSU added to its lead with a sacrifice fly from Ryan Fleming and an RBI single by Drew Shields to make it 3-0.
The Blue Hens responded in the bottom of the inning with a two-out rally to tie the game. Hank Yates drove home his first run of the day with an RBI single to make it 3-1, then the Blue Hens tied the game with a bases loaded walk and a bases loaded passed ball.
Delaware then took the lead by scoring five runs in the third inning, including a two-run double by D.J. Long and an RBI double by Steve Ulaky.
Panther junior Nick Squeglia threw 5.0 innings in relief of Francis, yielding three runs while striking out five and allowing only one walk.
Trailing 9-3 in the seventh inning, the Panthers got one run back when Micowski singled home Bryan Condotta, who had doubled.
After a Hank Yates solo home run in the eighth inning for Delaware made it 10-4, Micowski scored Condotta again with an RBI-triple in the ninth, his third of the season, to plate the game's final run.
Relievers Jeff Murray, Stephen Ritcher and Nick Young combined to close out the game for the Blue Hens in relief of Eric Young.
The teams play game two at Bob Hannah Stadium Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on radio by regional sports network Herb FM, and can be heard online by following this link.
