Panthers Lose Heart-Breaker 2-1 in 11 at South Alabama

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Panthers Lose Heart-Breaker 2-1 in 11 at South Alabama

What You Need to Know:
* Caden Bailey's homer gave Georgia State a 1-0 lead in the top of the 11th, but South Alabama managed two runs in the bottom of the inning
* GSU starter Kenny Anderson pitched 7.2 scoreless innings with a career-high seven strikeouts.
* Georgia State remains in first place in the Sun Belt at 13-5.



Mobile, Ala. -- Caden Bailey homered in the top of the 11th inning to give Georgia State a 1-0 lead, but South Alabama scored two in the bottom of the inning for a 2-1 walk-off win Saturday night at Stanky Field.

Georgia State (26-17, 13-5 Sun Belt) dropped its second straight game to the Jaguars (28-16, 13-7) but remains in first place in the Sun Belt Conference by virtue of its .722 winning percentage.

The Panthers' starting pitcher Kenny Anderson was outstanding, pitching 7.2 shutout innings in which he allowed just four hits and struck out a career-high seven before giving way to reliever Kevin Burgee (3-2). The senior left-hander also picked off two baserunners, one at first base and one at second.

"Kenny Anderson was beyond great tonight," GSU head coach Greg Frady said. "I'm so happy the way he bounced back after a tough outing last weekend. He absolutely pitched us into position to win the game, and so did Kevin Burgee."

South Alabama's Austin Bembnowski was equally effective with eight scoreless innings and six strikeouts.

"We haven't really found our way offensively this weekend, and we're struggling to score runs," Frady continued. "One run in 20 innings, but we were in position to win the game."

The game remained scoreless until Georgia State had two outs in the top of the 11th inning. Bailey, the senior third baseman, had a 3-2 count against reliever Ben Taylor (5-1) and fouled off several pitches before belting the eighth pitch of the at-bat over the right field fence. The solo homer is Bailey's second of the season and the fourth of his career.

In the bottom of the 11th, South Alabama loaded the bases and tied the game on a bases-loaded walk by Ryan Raspino. Then Cole Billingsley singled home the winning run for the Jaguars.

The Panthers played their ninth extra-inning game of the season but lost for the first time in six Sun Belt games that have gone extras.

The series concludes Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.

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Players Mentioned

Kenny Anderson

#24 Kenny Anderson

LHP
6' 1"
Senior
L/L
Caden Bailey

#7 Caden Bailey

INF
5' 10"
Senior
L/R
Kevin Burgee

#31 Kevin Burgee

RHP
6' 3"
Senior
R/R

Players Mentioned

Kenny Anderson

#24 Kenny Anderson

6' 1"
Senior
L/L
LHP
Caden Bailey

#7 Caden Bailey

5' 10"
Senior
L/R
INF
Kevin Burgee

#31 Kevin Burgee

6' 3"
Senior
R/R
RHP