ATLANTA, GA -- Georgia State fell to Texas State, 18-6, in the series opener Friday evening at the GSU Baseball Complex.
The Panthers move to 13-14 on the season, while Texas State improves to 17-8.
Texas State used a pair of big innings early to take control of the game. The Bobcats scored four runs in the second inning on three home runs before erupting for nine runs in the third inning to build a 13-3 advantage.
Georgia State answered in the second inning. Austin Killingsworth tripled to right center and later scored on an RBI groundout by Lucas Grantham. Wesley Bass singled, and Cole Griffith followed with a double before Austin Sellers delivered a two-run single to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Texas State continued to add on, scoring four runs in the fourth inning and another in the seventh to extend its lead.
The Panthers pushed across three runs in the fifth inning. Hunter Carlson and Wills Maginnis singled before Carter Bailey doubled down the left-field line to drive in two runs. John Beverley followed with a single, and Killingsworth added an RBI single to make it 17-6.
Carlson and Maginnis each recorded two hits to lead the Panthers offensively, while Bailey drove in two runs. Killingsworth finished with two hits, including a triple, and an RBI. Sellers also added two RBIs as Georgia State totaled 12 hits.
Tysen Benford (2-2) was charged with the loss. Nick Holbrook provided 3.0 innings of relief and allowed one run while striking out four against his former team.
Georgia State and Texas State will continue the series Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at the GSU Baseball Complex.
