LAFAYETTE, La. -- Georgia State put the tying run 90 feet away in the ninth inning, but the Panthers' late push came up short in a 4-3 loss to Louisiana on Sunday afternoon at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park.
The Panthers fall to 22-25 overall and 10-14 in Sun Belt play.
Louisiana struck first in the third inning, using a leadoff double and an RBI fielder's choice to take a 1-0 lead. The Ragin' Cajuns added three more runs in the fourth, highlighted by a solo home run from Griffin Hebert, a wild pitch and an RBI groundout to extend the advantage to 4-0.
Georgia State began to chip away in the fifth. Nick Garagozzo singled and Carter Bailey walked before Wills Maginnis delivered an RBI single up the middle to bring home the Panthers' first run.
The Panthers added another run in the sixth inning. Wesley Bass doubled to right center and Hunter Carlson followed with a single before Jae Williams came off the bench with an RBI single to left, cutting the deficit to 4-2.
Georgia State pulled within one in the seventh. John Beverley singled, stole second, and then stole third before coming home on a throwing error, making it 4-3.
The Panthers had one final chance in the ninth. Brandon Davis led off with a pinch-hit single, and Lucas Grantham moved him into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Maginnis followed with his second hit of the game, and Beverley was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but Louisiana escaped the jam to hold on.
Georgia State finished with 11 hits, led by Maginnis, Cole Griffith, and Bass with two hits each. Maginnis drove in a run, while Williams added an RBI off the bench.
Cole Roberts took the loss despite working 6.0 innings and allowing four runs on five hits while striking out five. Will Bartkoski tossed 2.0 scoreless innings in relief, allowing no hits and striking out one.
Georgia State will continue its road trip on Tuesday at Kennesaw State. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m.
