Norfolk, Va. - The Georgia State baseball team opened CAA on Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader split at Old Dominion. The Panthers took game one in the afternoon, 2-1, behind a dominant pitching performance by junior David Buchanan, before falling in the nightcap, 6-1.
Georgia State (13-10, 1-1 CAA) has won 13 of its last 17 games and had its three-game winning streak snapped in the second game of the doubleheader. Old Dominion now stands at 12-14 and 1-1 in the CAA heading into Sunday's series finale.
The Panthers took game one of the doubleheader behind a strong pitching performance Buchanan. The Peachtree City native went 8.1 innings, striking out a career-high 12 before giving way to sophomore closer Justin Malone who earned the last two outs by recording a double play to the first batter his faced to earn his first save of the season.
With the win, Georgia State had won four of the last five meetings with the Monarchs, with all five games being one-run decisions.
Buchanan (3-1) allowed just seven hits and one run, a home run to Jake McAloose in the bottom of the ninth with one out.
Kyle Hald (4-2) held the Panthers to a season low three hits, but gave up two runs on a Ryan Fleming single to right in the top of the fourth, scoring senior Bradley Logan and redshirt-junior Brett Maxwell for all the runs the Panthers would need.
Hald went 7.2 innings, walking four and striking out six before giving way to Phil McCarthy, who pitched the final 1.1 innings, not allowing another hit to the Panthers.
Kenny Stoneback led Old Dominion at the plate, going 3-for-3, all singles.
Just as Buchanan dominated in game one, Old Dominion's Ben Tomchick (3-2) held the Panthers in check in game two. Tomchick pitched 8.0 innings, allowing just five hits to go along with a career-high nine strikeouts.
The Monarchs scored four runs in the sixth to break a 1-1 tie. With the bases loaded,
Kenny Stoneback walked to bring home Chris Buss. Cameron Scott followed by being hit with a pitch to bring home Joe Velleggia. Donnie Corsner then walked to bring home Josh Wright, before Jake McAloose hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Stoneback to make it 5-1 in favor of the Monarchs.
The Panthers five hits all came in the form of singles. Junior Mark Micowski, who had his 17-game hitting streak broken in game one, rebounded with one of the five hits.
Georgia State's lone run came in the top of the fifth as senior Carl Moniz singled home sophomore Brandon Williams.
Junior Charley Olson (1-4) took another tough-luck loss, going 5.0 innings, allowing five hits and five runs, four of which were earned, while striking out six. In his four losses, the Panthers have only scored 2.5 runs per game.
Juniors Aidan Francis and Theo Asher pitched the final three innings, allowing just one Monarch hit.
The two teams will return to the field for the series finale on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Senior Ryan Moore will take to the mound for the Panthers.
Live stats can be found by visiting GeorgiaStateSports.com.
Following the brief three-game road trip, the Panthers will return home for a single midweek game next week. Tickets are now on sale for next week's showdown with Georgia Tech on Tuesday. The rematch with Georgia Tech at Panthersville will be the first time the two teams have met since last year's NCAA Regional contest.
The first 50 fans to call and purchase tickets to the game will receive an Inaugural Season Football poster signed by Coach Bill Curry. Coach Curry will also be present at the game to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The pitch will be thrown promptly at 6 O'clock. So Remember, Coach Curry is throwing out the first pitch. Tech at State, don't be late!
To order tickets please call 1-866-GA-STATE. You can also log on to the web at GeorgiaStateSports.com or visit any Ticketmaster location.
-www.GeorgiaStateSports.com-
