ATLANTA - Georgia State returns home this weekend to host Arkansas State in a three-game Sun Belt Conference series at the GSU Baseball Complex. The series marks the Panthers' first home conference games of the season.

Georgia State enters the weekend 11-11 overall and 0-3 in conference play, while Arkansas State comes in at 15-6 overall and off to a strong start early in the season.

Both teams enter play having won a game against a top 6 opponent, with the Panthers knocking off #2 Georgia Tech, and the Red Wolves defeating #6 Arkansas, both on the same night (Feb. 24)

Panthers at the Plate

Georgia State is hitting .253 as a team with 136 runs scored and 176 hits through 22 games.

John Beverley leads the Panthers with a .366 batting average and 11 stolen bases, while Nick Garagozzo is hitting .284 with nine extra-base hits. Hunter Carlson has driven in a team-high 25 RBI and has added three home runs.

Wills Maginnis has contributed 16 RBI and is a perfect 10-for-10 in stolen base attempts, while Wesley Bass is hitting .303 with a .439 on-base percentage in limited action.

Panthers on the Mound

Georgia State's pitching staff holds a 5.74 ERA with 165 strikeouts in 185 innings.

Jake Hembree has been one of the Panthers' most effective starters, posting a 3.13 ERA with 25 strikeouts across 23 innings. Tysen Benford owns a 3.38 ERA in four starts, while Brian Crooms leads the team with three wins.

Out of the bullpen, Jacob Crews has recorded a 1.04 ERA in seven appearances.

Scouting Arkansas State

Arkansas State enters the weekend hitting .270 as a team with 149 runs scored and 31 home runs through 21 games.

Lane Walton leads the Red Wolves with a .318 batting average and 10 home runs, while Evan Griffis is hitting .316 with a .436 on-base percentage. Ashton Quiller is batting .307 with eight doubles and 26 runs scored.

The Red Wolves have shown power throughout the lineup, with 31 home runs and 45 doubles on the season.

On the mound, Arkansas State has been dominant, ranking 6th in the NCAA with a 2.87 team ERA, with opponents hitting just .218 against them. Tyler Weimer (1.05 ERA) and Dylan Farley (1.88 ERA) have been key contributors, while Chase Richter and Jack Nelson each have 30 strikeouts.

Series Outlook

The weekend series presents the Panthers with an early Sun Belt test against the conference's best pitching staff and one of the best in the country.