ATLANTA – Georgia State fell to Charleston Southern, 15-7, in the series opener Friday evening at the GSU Baseball Complex.
The Panthers move to 9-6 on the season, while Charleston Southern improves to 11-2.
Georgia State jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Nick Garagozzo tripled down the right-field line before Hunter Carlson followed with a two-run home run to right field, giving the Panthers a 2-1 advantage.
The Panthers added to the lead in the second inning. John Beverley reached on a bunt single and later scored on Cooper Milford's RBI triple. Milford came home on a wild pitch before Carter Bailey launched a solo home run to left-center, extending the lead to 5-1.
Charleston Southern answered in the third with two runs to cut the deficit to 5-3. The game was delayed for 2 hours and 40 minutes due to inclement weather. Charleston Southern then broke the game open in the sixth inning. The Buccaneers scored eight runs in the frame, taking advantage of multiple hits and Georgia State miscues to take control of the game.
Georgia State attempted to rally in the seventh. Austin Killingsworth doubled before Beverley singled to bring in a run. Bailey later delivered an RBI double to trim the deficit to 11-7.
Charleston Southern added three runs in the eighth and another in the ninth to seal the 15-7 victory.
Beverley led Georgia State offensively with three hits and two runs scored. Bailey finished with two hits and two RBIs, while Carlson and Milford each drove in a run. The Panthers totaled 10 hits in the contest.
Tysen Benford started on the mound for Georgia State and allowed three runs in 3.0 innings. Michael Caruso (1-2) was charged with the loss in relief.
Georgia State and Charleston Southern will continue the series Saturday at the GSU Baseball Complex.
