What you need to know:
* Nathan Bates took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and allowed just one hit in seven scoreless frames.
* Matt Rose smacked two home runs and drove in four.
* Panthers play a DH vs. Liberty Saturday at noon and 3 p.m.
ATLANTA -- Nathan Bates carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and allowed just one hit in seven scoreless frames, and Matt Rose smacked two home runs to lead Georgia State to an 11-3 Opening Day victory over Fordham at the GSU Baseball Complex.
Bates (1-0), the junior right-hander, was in complete control, striking out eight and walking just one. He faced the minimum through 6-2/3 innings before allowing a solid single to center field by Charles Galliano. Then he struck out Luke Stamfl to end the inning before giving way to the bullpen.
"I couldn't have asked for a better way to start the season," GSU head coach Greg Frady said. "Nathan Bates gave us exactly what we needed, and I'm very proud of Nate. He pitched with great command. I want to also credit Joey Roach for catching a great game, and pitching coach Adam Scott for calling a great game."
Bates added, "I was able to throw more than one pitch for strikes, my defense played great behind me, and the offense gave me some runs, so my job was easy."
Rose, the Panthers' Preseason All-America third baseman, hit a solo home run in the third inning and then added a three-run blast in the eighth.
"If we're going to be the team we want to be, Nathan Bates and Matt Rose need to do what they did today, and they certainly delivered," Frady said.
Georgia State (1-0) got on the scoreboard with three runs in the third inning as Joey Roach led off with a double, and then Sam Few, Trae Sweeting and Ryan Blanton delivered run-scoring singles.
Leading 4-0, the Panthers added three in the sixth, two of them on James Clements' pinch-hit, two-run triple over the center fielder's head.
Fordham (0-1) got on the board with an unearned run in the eighth. After Georgia State extended its lead to 11-1 on Rose's second homer, Luke Stampfl hit a two-run homer in the ninth.
Rams' starter Brett Kennedy (0-1) allowed four runs on six hits and struck out six over five innings.
The Atlanta Challenge continues Saturday as the Panthers host Liberty in a doubleheader beginning at 12 noon. Left-hander Kenny Anderson and righty Cole Uvila will take the mound for Georgia State.
Tickets are priced at just $5 and are available at the gate.
