ATLANTA -- Georgia State dropped its second straight game to UT Arlington 4-3 Saturday at the GSU Baseball Complex.
The series finale is scheduled for Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
Senior right fielder Brandon Bell had two hits and an RBI to lead the Panthers (7-16, 2-3 Sun Belt), making him 6-for-8 with three RBI so far in the series.
After UTA (14-9, 3-2 Sun Belt) took a 4-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning, Georgia State answered with two in the bottom of the fifth and then had several chances to tie the game but could muster the timely hit.
Both teams scored a run in the first inning, Georgia State's coming on RBI-grounder by Bell.
The score remained 1-1 through three innings before the Mavericks moved ahead with two runs in the fourth on back-to-back RBI-hits by Connor Aube and Will Olson. UTA added a run in the fifth without benefit of a hit after two hit batters and two walks.
Daino Deas walked to lead off the bottom of the fifth for the Panthers and moved to third on Bell's one-out double. A wild pitch scored Deas, and then Elian Merejo singled to center field to drive in Bell and bring the Panthers within one. But an inning-ending double play ended the rally.
Georgia State had a chance to tie the game in the seventh with runners at first and third and one out, but another double play ended the threat. The Panthers also left the bases loaded in the third inning.
With GSU still within a run in the top of the ninth, UTA put the first two runners on. With one out and runners still at first and second, Bell moved from right field to the mound and struck out the next two hitters to keep the game at 4-3. Pinch hitter Terrell Frazier drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the ninth but was stranded at second.
UTA starter Ka'ikepono Anderson (4-2) pitched five innings and allowed three runs on six hits. Andrew Gross pitched a scoreless ninth for his second straight save and ninth of the season.
Georgia State left hander Tyler Koch (0-3), making his first weekend start, allowed three runs on six hits with four strikeouts in four innings. Freshman Seth Clark pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless relief.
