Georgia State's eighth-inning rally fell naught as Mercer scored one in the top of the ninth to earn a 5-4 win over the Panthers on Tuesday night. The Panthers trailed 4-1 going into the bottom of the eighth, but scored three to tie it up. However, after the Bears scored in the top of the ninth, the Panthers failed to capitalize with bases loaded in the bottom half of the inning.
Georgia State fell to 16-8 on the season, while Mercer improved to 9-12. The two former Atlantic Sun Conference rivals split their season series, each winning on the road.
The Panthers gave themselves an opportunity to win it in the bottom of the ninth as senior Marc Mimeault singled to left center with one out. After walks to senior Chase Childers and freshman Brandon Williams, the Panthers could not get a run across the plate as senior Michael McCree flied out and senior Nick Hogan struck out swinging to end the game.
“It am very disappointed to lose that game,” commented head coach Greg Frady after the game. “It has been a weird thing about our team this season, as we have lost several games in extra innings and always seem to get the runners in position to win, but for whatever reason, we just haven't gotten the timely hits we need.”
The Panthers got on the board first as senior Matt Van Horn singled to center in the bottom of the second. After stealing second, freshman Brandon Williams singled to right center, scoring Van Horn and putting State ahead 1-0.
Mercer did most of its damage in the top of the fifth as the Bears broke senior John Locklear's no-hitter bid to start the inning. Thomas Carroll led off the inning with a single and after singles by Sean Olenek and Billy Burns, the Bears had the bases loaded with one out.
Locklear pitched 5.0 innings, allowing just four hits, but three runs. He would not factor in the decision, being relieved by senior Adam Knight.
Nick DiMauro followed with a double to right center, scoring three and giving the Bears a 3-1 lead.
The Bears would score again in the top of the eighth as Joe Winker scored on a Steven Karwatt single to left field.
The Panther bats would come alive in the bottom half of the inning. After Williams singled to center and senior Joey Wood singled to right, senior Nick Hogan reached on an error to load the bases.
Senior Derek Simmons continued his hot bat with a two run single, cutting the deficit to one. Junior Carl Moniz then reached on a fielders choice, plating Hogan as the Panthers tied it up.
The Bears would score the winning run in the top of the ninth as Joe Winker reached on an error by freshman Daniel Blaustein, scoring Sean Olenek with two outs.
Theo Asher (0-2) earned the loss after allowing one run in one-third on an inning pitched.
Blake Mainor (2-0) earned the win for the Bears, pitching one inning of relief. Dan April picked up his first save of the season, recording the final out.
Moniz extended his hitting streak to 15 games, while Simmons raised his hitting streak to 11.
The Panthers will return to the field on Wednesday as Oglethorpe travels across town. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. Admission is free to the park and live stats will be available via GeorgiaStateSports.com.
