MONTGOMERY, Ala. --Â Georgia State erased a four-run deficit with a four-run eighth inning, but South Alabama answered with a three-run homer in the bottom half to end the Panthers' run in the Sun Belt Tournament with a 7-4 loss Thursday evening at Dabos Park.
The Panthers finish the season 27-30 after advancing to the double-elimination portion of the Sun Belt Tournament.
South Alabama struck first in the second inning, using three walks and an RBI free pass to take a 1-0 lead. The Jaguars added two more runs in the fifth on a two-run single from Rett Johnson, extending the lead to 3-0.
Georgia State had chances early, including a Carter Bailey triple in the fifth inning, but South Alabama starter Mitchell Heer kept the Panthers off the board through the first seven innings. Heer allowed one run on six hits while striking out eight.
South Alabama added another run in the sixth inning on an RBI single from Stewart Puckett to make it 4-0.
The Panthers broke through in the eighth inning and quickly turned the game around. Bailey led off the inning with a solo home run to left field, his third of the season, to put Georgia State on the board. After South Alabama went to the bullpen, Hunter Carlson was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a passed ball. Wesley Bass followed with an RBI single to right center, cutting the deficit to 4-2. Adam Haber then singled to put runners on the corners before Cole Griffith delivered the biggest swing of the inning, driving a two-run triple to center field to tie the game at 4-4.
South Alabama responded in the bottom half. After a one-out single and a Georgia State error put two runners on, Blake Guerin hit a three-run home run down the left-field line to give the Jaguars a 7-4 lead. Georgia State got a baserunner in the ninth after John Beverley reached on an error, but the Panthers were unable to extend the game.
The Panthers finished with nine hits in the loss. Bailey led the offense with two hits, including a triple and a home run. Bass and Haber each added two hits, while Griffith drove in two runs with his eighth-inning triple. Wills Maginnis and Carlson also recorded hits for Georgia State.
Michael Caruso started on the mound and allowed three runs over 4.1 innings while striking out five. Jacob Crews worked 1.0 inning in relief, and Brian Crooms struck out five over the final 2.2 innings.
Georgia State's season comes to a close after winning 27 games, earning a Sun Belt Tournament berth, and advancing past the opening round with a 17-1 win over Old Dominion.
