ATLANTA - Georgia State (9-4) returns home Tuesday night to host No. 3 Georgia Tech at Gwinnett Field in the second meeting between the two programs this season.
The Panthers enter the game after closing their weekend series at Belmont with a 4-2 victory. Georgia State is 6-0 at home this year and will look to build on its earlier 9-4 road win over the Yellow Jackets on Feb. 24.
Georgia Tech comes in 11-1 overall and has been one of the most productive offenses in the country through the first month of the season.
Panthers at the Plate
Through 13 games, Georgia State is batting .277 as a team with 17 home runs and 89 runs scored. Five regular starters are hitting .300 or better, highlighting the balance throughout the lineup.
John Beverley leads the Panthers with a .375 average and six stolen bases. Nick Garagozzo is hitting .348 with 13 RBI, while Hunter Carlson has driven in a team-high 17 runs. Jae Williams is batting .333 with 13 runs scored and continues to be a consistent presence at the top of the order.
On the Mound
Georgia State owns a 4.38 team ERA across 111.0 innings with 109 strikeouts.
Jake Hembree has posted a 1.08 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 16.2 innings, while Tysen Benford is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA over 16.0 innings. Cole Roberts has added stability in midweek starts, and the bullpen has provided key innings, including three saves from Will Bartkoski.
Limiting free bases and executing in high-leverage spots will be key against a Georgia Tech lineup that thrives on extra-base hits.
Scouting No. 3 Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech is hitting .422 as a team with 161 hits and 24 home runs through 12 games. The Yellow Jackets have scored 174 runs and feature multiple everyday players batting over .400.
Alex Hernandez leads the team with a .513 average and a .718 slugging percentage, while Vahn Lackey is hitting .476 with 35 RBI. Will Baker (.475) and Ryan Zuckerman (.422) anchor a lineup that has consistently produced power and run production.
On the mound, Georgia Tech carries a 4.00 team ERA and has limited opponents to a .246 batting average.
Matchup Outlook
Tuesday's contest features two productive offenses and provides another early-season measuring stick for the Panthers against a nationally ranked opponent.
Georgia State will look to defend its undefeated home record and secure its second win of the season over Georgia Tech in what should be a competitive midweek matchup at Gwinnett Field.
