Wilson is Finalist for Fan's Choice Award

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Panthers Fall 10-6 But Win Sun Belt Series vs. Arkansas State

ATLANTA -- Georgia State fell 10-6 to Arkansas State, which used an eight-run seventh inning to earn the victory Sunday at the GSU Baseball Complex and capture the final game of the series.

Nic Wilson hit his 13th homer of the season for the Panthers (21-24, 7-14), who won the first two games in the series with the second-place team in the Sun Belt Conference.

After falling behind 10-4, Georgia State scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to pull within 10-6. With the bases loaded and two outs, Wilson came to the plate, but Arkansas State (25-19, 14-7) reliever Tyler Zuber struck out Wilson looking to end the threat.

"We are all disappointed that we didn't win today, but let's not lose sight of the fact that we won the series, and that's what you look to do coming into every weekend," GSU head coach Greg Frady said. "Arkansas State is a very good team, the second-place team in the league, and winning the series is a good job against them. Of course, you're greedy and you want that sweep, but we just came up a little short."

Wilson's homer, a two-run blast to right center, a 3-1 lead in the third inning.

After the Red Wolves scored on in the fifth, the Panthers answered in the bottom of the frame with Zach Moon's RBI-sinle that brought home Caden Bailey, and GSU led 4-2 after five.

The score remained that way until Arkansas State erupted for eight runs in the top of the seventh off four GSU relievers.

"When you give up a big-inning like we did, it's really hard to win," Frady said.

Chris Triplett had a career-high four hits on the day for the Panthers, going 4-for-5 with two runs. Greg Bowder drove in two runs with a double in the second inning and a single in the eighth, and Caden Bailey contributed two hits and an RBI.

Making his first start of the season for GSU, senior right-hander Aidan McLaughlin pitched five innings and allowed two runs on five hits with five strikeouts, but he did not figure in the decision.

The Panthers have no mid-week game this week due to final exams but return to action Friday, when they begin their final home weekend series against South Alabama at 6 p.m. at the GSU Baseball Complex.

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