HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Georgia State exploded for 12 runs over four innings to defeat No. 23 Southern Miss, 12-2, on Friday night at Pete Taylor Park and even the weekend series.
The Panthers (23-17, 9-8 SBC) scored in four straight innings from the third through the sixth, racking up 10 hits and 12 RBI in the process. Seven different GSU players recorded an RBI, while Michael Maginnis and Colin Hynek both went deep in a decisive fifth inning that saw Georgia State blow the game open.
After a scoreless start through two, Georgia State got things rolling in the third. Carter Bailey opened the inning with a walk and came around to score on an RBI single from Michael Maginnis. Wills Maginnis followed with a run-scoring single of his own to make it 2-0.
Southern Miss (26-13, 11-6 SBC) briefly tied the game in the bottom of the frame on a two-run homer from Nick Monistere, but the Panthers answered immediately—and emphatically. Georgia State batted around in the top of the fourth, scoring four runs thanks to RBIs from John Beverley, Kaleb Freeman, and Carter Bailey.
The real fireworks came in the fifth. With two on and two out, Michael Maginnis crushed a three-run homer to center to put GSU up 9-2. Freeman reached on an error to keep the inning alive, and Hynek followed with a two-run homer of his own—his second long ball in the last three games—to make it 11-2.
Jake Hembree (1-1) earned his first win of the season with five strong innings, allowing just one hit and two earned runs while striking out eight. Tysen Benford was sharp in relief, tossing two scoreless frames with a strikeout to close the shortened seven-inning run-rule game.
Michael Maginnis finished 2-for-4 with four RBI and a home run. Freeman, Bailey, Milford, and Hynek each drove in runs in a balanced offensive attack that saw the Panthers capitalize on mistakes and string together quality at-bats throughout the night.
With the win, Georgia State improved to 9-8 in Sun Belt play and picked up its first victory over a nationally ranked opponent this season. The Panthers will go for the series win on Saturday in the finale against Southern Miss, with first pitch set for 2:00 p.m. ET.
GAME NOTES
» The Panthers out-hit the Golden Eagles at a 10-1 clip.
» Georgia State went 6-for-17 (.353) with runners in scoring position.
» The Panthers drew four walks from Southern Miss pitching.
