BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. -- Georgia State fell 10-8 Wednesday at Gardner-Webb, suffering its first loss of the season.

The Panthers (3-1) managed seven hits and drew 12 walks but left 16 on base. 

Georgia State jumped in front with three runs in the first inning. Griffin Cheney singled with one out, and then Merejo, the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Week, smacked a double to left field, and Cheney raced home, just beating the tag at the plate. After Merejo stole third and scored on a ground ball error, freshman Will Mize's RBI-double gave GSU a 3-0 lead.

But Gardner-Webb (3-1) answered with six runs in the first two innings, including a three-run homer by Keiji Parkhurst, to take a 6-3 lead..

Georgia State trailed 10-6 in the eighth inning when freshman Kyle Riesselmann tripled over the center fielder's head to drive in two runs and pull GSU within 10-8 with the tying runs on base, but the Panthers could no get one more big hit. Riesselmann has a triple in each of his two starts.

Cheney, the junior third baseman, had one hit and one RBI but walked three times and was hit be a pitch, reaching base in five of six plate appearances. he scored three runs and stole two bases.

Josh Smith added an RBI-siingle for the Panthers.

On a staff day for both schools, the teams combined to use 12 pitchers. GWU starter Sean Casteel (1-0) was credited with the win, while starter Pablo Barquero (0-1) took the loss for GSU. Chase Lane earned his first save for the Bulldogs.

Georgia State returns home to host Bryant for a weekend series that opens Friday at 4 p.m. at the GSU Baseball Complex.