ATLANTA – A strong start and early lead weren't enough for Georgia State on Friday night, as the Panthers fell 10-5 to Louisiana in the opening game of the weekend series at the GSU Baseball Complex.

Georgia State (24-23, 9-13 Sun Belt) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and rallied again in the third to stay within striking distance, but a six-run third inning by Louisiana proved to be the difference. Despite a late push and a dominant bullpen outing from Carlos Carmona, the Panthers couldn't close the gap in the series opener.

Jesse Donohoe got the Panthers on the board early with a run-scoring double in the first inning, followed by Colin Hynek coming home on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to give Georgia State the 2-0 advantage. In the third, Colin Hynek crushed his 18th home run of the season with a solo shot to left, and Cooper Milford scored on a wild pitch as part of a three-run frame that brought the Panthers within 7-5.

Kaleb Freeman continued his productive season at the plate, collecting two hits, including a leadoff triple in the ninth—his second of the year.. Cooper Milford reached base two times, while Hynek finished 1-for-3 with two walks and an RBI.

After allowing just one run in the second, the Panthers ran into trouble in the third, when Louisiana (24-24, 14-9) hit three home runs—highlighted by a three-run shot from Luke Yuhasz—to surge ahead 7-2. Three unearned runs in the fifth extended the Ragin' Cajuns' lead.

Starter Caleb White (5-5) struck out two in two innings but was tagged with the loss after allowing six runs. Brian Crooms turned in his longest outing of the season with five innings and seven strikeouts, and Carmona retired six batters with three strikeouts to close the game.

Georgia State returns to the GSU Baseball Complex on Saturday for Game 2 of the weekend series. First pitch is set for noon.

GAME NOTES
» Panthers pitchers combined to strike out 12 Louisiana hitters.
» The Panthers drew eight walks from Louisiana pitching.