GSU Falls 10-6 as ULM Evens Series; Wilson Hits 17th HR

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Panthers Fall 5-3 in Series Finale at No. 5 ULL

Lafayette, La. -- Georgia State's Nic Wilson hit his 10th home run of the season, but fifth-ranked UL Lafayette used five solo homers to win 5-3 Sunday afternoon at M.L. "Tigue" Field.

The Ragin' Cajuns (22-2, 6-0 Sun Belt) won their 12th straight game and swept the Sun Belt Conference series from the Panthers (10-14, 1-5 Sun Belt).

Wilson's homer, his second of the series, was a three-run blast in the sixth inning that brought the Panthers within 4-3.

Despite the wind blowing out, the game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning, when UL Lafayette managed its first hits off GSU starter Andrew Fessler (1-3), who got the first two outs of the inning before surrenduring back-to-back solo home runs to Ryan Wilson and Michael Strentz.

The Cajuns extended their lead to 4-0 in the fifth by again hitting back-to-back solo homers, this time by Ryan Leonards and Seth Harrison, before Wilson got the Panthers back in the game with his round-tripper.

Jace Conrad hit ULL's fifth solo home run in the sixth inning for a 5-3 advantage.

The Panthers put runners at first and second with one out in the seventh, but reliever Chris Griffit came on to end the threat with a pair of strikeouts.

ULL starter Cody Boutte (3-0) pitched 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Griffit shut out the Panthers over the final 2.2 innings with five strikeouts to earn his first save.

"Today was by far the best the game that we played of the three, but the wind blowing out was such a factor," GSU head coach Greg Frady said. "When you are beaten in the first two games, it would be easy to hang your head on Sunday and lose your focus, but we showed a lot of quality play today in all three phases.

"You can never be okay with losing, but I am happy with the effort, the attitude and some things in the game. We'll continue to put our emphasis on making adjustments and playing good baseball. The season is not over after the second weekend (of conference play). Louisiana Lafayette is a tough matchup for anyone to play, especially in this park."

Wilson, the Panthers' senior first baseman, leads the Sun Belt and ranks among the national leaders with a .419 batting average, 10 homers and 30 runs batted in.

"Nic Wilson is one of the top players in Division I baseball right now. I feel very solid in saying that," Frady said. "For the most part, teams are not pitching to him, so for him to be doing what he's doing is even more impressive. We are all very proud of what Nic is doing."

Georgia State returns home to host a pair of midweek games against Alabama A&M, Tuesday and Wednesday at 5 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Andrew Fessler

#3 Andrew Fessler

LHP
6' 0"
Senior
L/L
Nic Wilson

#22 Nic Wilson

INF
6' 6"
Senior
R/R

Players Mentioned

Andrew Fessler

#3 Andrew Fessler

6' 0"
Senior
L/L
LHP
Nic Wilson

#22 Nic Wilson

6' 6"
Senior
R/R
INF