ATLANTA – Georgia State collected 11 hits and saw a big night from Michael Maginnis at the plate, but a four-run third inning and timely execution from Mercer proved too much as the Panthers fell 8-4 on Wednesday night at the GSU Baseball Complex.

The loss drops Georgia State to 24-22 on the season, while Mercer improves to 30-17.

The Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI single from Michael Maginnis, who drove in Colin Hynek after his two-out base hit and a walk by Jesse Donohoe. But Mercer answered with a four-run third inning, aided by three walks and a Georgia State error, to grab a lead it wouldn't surrender. The Bears added another run in the fourth and two more in the sixth to stretch the lead to 7-2.

Cooper Milford sparked a rally in the fourth with a bunt single and eventually scored on a balk to cut the deficit to 5-2. Maginnis added more in the seventh, launching a solo home run to left—his ninth of the season—to pull GSU within four. In the eighth, the Panthers loaded the bases and brought home a run on a bases-loaded walk by Maginnis, making it 8-4, but they were unable to do further damage.

Maginnis finished 3-for-4 with three RBI, a walk, and a home run. Milford added two hits, while Donohoe reached base three times with a single and two walks.

Seven different Georgia State pitchers appeared in the game. Dylan Matela (0-2) took the loss after facing three batters in the third and walking them all, with all three eventually coming around to score. Quin McManmon started and threw two scoreless innings, while Brian Crooms, Nicholas Holbrook, and Brooks Gorman each logged effective innings out of the bullpen.

The Panthers return to action this Friday as they resume Sun Belt Conference play, hosting Louisiana. 

GAME NOTES
» Georgia State left 15 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The Panthers out-hit the Bears at an 11-7 clip.
» The Panthers drew seven walks from Mercer pitching.