Hempstead, N.Y.- Scott Sarratt's RBI single in the top of the 11th inning briefly gave the Panthers a lead but Hofstra scored twice in the bottom of the inning, getting the winning run on a bases-loaded walk, as the Georgia State baseball team dropped a nail-biting 4-3 decision in extra-innings Friday on breezy day at University Field.
The Panthers' second extra-innings loss of the year sends the team to 14-17 overall and 5-5 in Colonial Athletic Association action. Hofstra (15-12, 7-3) remains in second place in the conference with the series-opening win.
The Panthers took a 2-1 lead into the eighth inning as starter Justin Malone struck out three over six innings, helping strand 15 Pride baserunners on the day.
After Hofstra tied the game in the bottom of the eighth on a fielder's choice ground ball, neither team scored in the ninth or tenth innings.
The Panthers used just two pitchers through 10.1 innings, as reliever Jake Dyer pitched well into the extra frames.
Caden Bailey began a two-out rally in the 11th with a single and scored two batters later from second base as Sarratt drove the go-ahead single into left field. GSU could not add to its lead in the inning and Hofstra was able to counter in the bottom of the frame.
After Dyer issued two one-out walks, Aidan McLaughlin entered the game and yielded a single to Matt Ford that scored the tying run from second base. After GSU intentionally walked CAA RBIs leader Jared Hammer to load the bases, Kenny Jackson won the game by drawing the fourth walk of the inning to score Danny Poma from third.
Hofstra, who led the nation with over three steals per game entering the game, swiped three more bags during the contest.
GSU managed just seven hits on the day with two coming from Bailey.
The Pride plated the first run of the game in the bottom of the second on a bloop RBI single, but the Panthers scored twice in the fourth to take their first lead of the game.
Kody Adams evened the contest by scoring Brandon Williams all the way from first base on a two-out triple, Adams' team-leading 15th extra-base hit of the season. He then scored on a wild pitch during the next at-bat as GSU took a 2-1 lead.
Neither team scored over the next three innings as both pitching staffs continued to end scoring threats, leading up to Hofstra's eighth-inning score.
Hofstra was able to tie the game in the eighth after an infield throwing error gave the Pride an extra chance. After a man reached first, a liner back up the middle bounced off Dyer's glove for a base hit. A walk loaded the bases and a ground ball tied the game as GSU was unable to turn a double play, tying the game, 2-2. Dyer then ended the inning with a strikeout to limit the damage.
Bailey and Daniel Blaustein each produced singles in the top of the ninth for GSU. The Panthers then had runners on the corners with two outs, but Gabe Shivers' bunt attempt became the third out of the inning.
Hofstra belted two singles to start the bottom of the ninth, but Dyer once again worked out of a jam by inducing a double play and a groundout to send the game into extras.
Each team went down in order in the 10th inning.
The Panthers have now played nine games this year decided by one run, with GSU 5-4 in those contests.
The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. at University Field.
