PANTHERSVILLE--Senior Aeden McQueary had two hits and a run scored as the Georgia State baseball team fell in a 5-1 decision to Mercer Wednesday night at The Field.
"All of Mercer's pitchers threw well tonight, they really did," said Georgia State head coach Greg Frady. "A lot of times, when you don't get the result you want, it's easy to look inward. But that would be taking something away from a Mercer team that played really well tonight."
Senior hurler Jeramy Compton pitched well for the Panthers, getting charged with just three runs in 6.1 innings of work. Mercer countered with seven pitchers to work all nine innings, allowing just three hits and one run.
Mercer took the lead in the top of the third inning on a solo homer by Eric Renfroe. In the fourth, Steven Karwatt doubled into right to score Mike Armstron, making it 2-0.
The Panthers didn't get their first hit until there was one out in the fifth, when McQueary laced a single through the left side of the infield. Two walks later, the bases were loaded for freshman Bradley Logan. Logan lifted a fly ball deep into left field for a sacrifice fly, scoring McQueary with State's first run of the game.
Logan would single in the eighth inning, breaking a streak of nine batters in a row retired by Mercer pitchers. By then, the Bears had added three runs in the seventh inning to open the margin to 5-1. State would threaten in the ninth, as senior Charlie Pelt was hit by a pitch and McQueary collected his second hit with a two-out single to left. But the door would be closed by the Bears, as Mercer took the 5-1 win.
Based on effectiveness in the "whole staff" situation, starter Scott Patterson was given the win. Patterson threw two scoreless innings to start the game, and Mercer took the lead in the third. Six other pitchers followed, as no pitcher threw more than 26 pitches for the Bears.
Georgia State will return to action this Friday when they host Mississippi Valley State. Game time at The Field is set for 4:00 p.m.
Notes: McQueary's hit off Mercer's Cory Gearrin was the first the hurler had allowed in 10.2 innings of work this season...State committed only one error...Kevin Dooley pitched 2.1 scoreless innings of relief.
