Roach Named GSU Student-Athlete of the Week

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Panthers Drop 4-2 Decision at Texas State

San Marcos, Texas -- Georgia State fell 4-2 at Texas State as the Bobcats scored all four runs on a pinch-hit grand slam by Austin O'Neal in the sixth inning.

Georgia State dropped its fourth straight game to fall to 17-22 overall, 5-12 in the Sun Belt Conference. Texas State wins the series and improves to 21-17, 10-7.

GSU starter Nathan Bates (1-2) was dominant through five shutout innings, allowing just four hits and walking none. He quickly got the first two outs in the sixth before surrenduring a walk and a single that just eluded right fielder Chase Raffield. After a hit batter loaded the bases, O'Neal came off the bench and put the Bobcats ahead 4-2.

After taking a 1-0 lead in the third inning, the Panthers had chances to break the game open. Joey Roach led off the fifth inning with an infield single and David Levy walked. After Ryan Blanton sacrificed the runners to second and third with one out, James Clements hit a line drive that appeared headed for left field, but shortstop Garrett Matlage leaped and snagged it out of their air.

One inning later, the Panthers loaded the bases with no outs as Nic Wilson singled, Matt Rose reached on an error and Caden Bailey beat out a bunt. After Chris Triplett struck out, Joey Roach delivered a single through the right side to score Wilson. But Texas State starter Taylor Black (3-4) got a pop-up and a ground ball to limit the damage, and GSU led 2-0.

"Nathan pitched a fantastic game," GSU head coach Greg Frady said. "Even when he gave up the home run, his stuff was good, his pitch count was in order, and we still felt he was in position to get them out.

"The game came down this: we had a few opportunties to break it open and didn't take advantage; they had limited opportunities but got the big one.

"I know about the one pitch, but overall we pitched well and we played good defense, but we couldn't get much going offensively. We'll keep working and trying to get the right combination," Frady said.

Georgia State had a chance to tie the game in the eighth inning. Raffield reached on an error, Wilson, third in the nation with 12 homers, sent a ball to the warning track in the center field, just missing a chance to tie the game.

Raffield drove in Georgia State's first run with a double in the third inning, extending his hitting streak to 13 games. Rose ran his hitting streak to 12 games with a second-inning single.

The series concludes Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.
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