Behind the arm of senior Will Palmer, the Georgia State baseball team earned a 9-5 win over Mercer (1-3) on Wednesday afternoon at Claude Smith Field in Macon. In his first game of the season, sophomore Jonathan Kolowich would come in to pinch-hit in the top of the sixth and provide the Panthers (4-1) with more than enough offense to finish off the Bears.
“I thought the team did a great job to prepare for today's game,” commented Head Coach Greg Frady. “To come out and get a win on the road in our first road game of the season is something special. The momentum and pace that Will (Palmer) set, pitching one of the best games of the season for us and going into the seventh inning really helped us out today.”
Palmer (1-1) scattered five hits over 6.2 innings after retiring the first nine Mercer batters. Palmer allowed three earned runs and struck out two to earn his first victory of the season.
“I just wanted to go out there today and throw as many innings as I could for the team to help us get the win,” commented Palmer. “Being a senior, I have little more confidence this year as I know what I need to go out and do to be successful and that showed today.”
Kolowich would finish the game 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.
“The team just set the pace for us today and I was happy to just get some at bats and I was lucky to run into one today,” commented Kolowich on his home run in the sixth inning.
The Panthers would get to Mercer starter Tyler Beesley (0-1) early in the game. Senior Matt Van Horn doubled down the right field line to start the top of the second inning. After stealing third, Van Horn would score when redshirt freshman Joey Wood walked on a passed ball.
State would add two more runs on in the top of the third, before chasing Beesley. Senior Nick Hogan started the inning with a double to right center. Senior Derek Simmons would follow that with a double down the right field line, scoring Hogan. Brooks Wallace Preseason Watch List member Bradley Logan would then double to deep left center, scoring Simmons.
Beesley lasted just 2.2 innings, allowing three runs on four hits.
After throwing three innings of no-hit ball, Palmer gave up a home run to Michael Langley to get the Bears on the board. However, that would be just about all they would get off him.
The Panthers would score again in the top of the fifth. Freshman catcher Chris Hallum, getting his first career start, singled to right field to start the inning. After a sac bunt by Hogan advanced him to second, senior Chase Childers singled to score Hallum and give the Panthers a 4-1 edge.
State would get to Mercer reliever David Randall again in the top of the sixth Kolowich, making his first appearance of the season, pinch hit for Matt Van Horn and homered deep down the left field line to give the Panthers a four-run advantage.
Georgia State would continue to pile on the runs in the top of the seventh, plating four. The first run of the inning would come across after Logan walked with the bases loaded, scoring Hallum. Kolowich would single down the right field line, scoring Hogan and Childers. Logan would come across to score on stolen base and give the Panthers a 9-1 advantage.
Sophomore Will Campbell would pitch two innings of relief before sophomore Aidan Francis came to close the door on the Bears with the final out after Campbell gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth.
Georgia State will return home on Friday to face the Eagles of Eastern Michigan. First pitch of the three game series is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
