What You Need to Know:
• Wayne Wages allowed just one hit in seven shutout innings to lead Georgia State to a 7-3 victory over ULM.
• Joey Roach, Will Kilgore, Darius Sewell drove in two runs each.
• Game 2 of the series is Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.
MONROE, LA. -- Georgia State starter Wayne Wages allowed just one in seven shutout innings while Joey Roach, Will Kilgore and Darius Sewell drove in two runs each to lead the Panthers to a 7-3 victory at ULM in the series opener
Friday at Warhawk Field.
In a game that started two hours and 15 minutes late due to rain, Wages (3-3) tied his career highs with seven innings pitched and six strikeouts and won his second straight start. The only hit he allowed was a third-inning double by Nathan Reynolds.
"What an incredible pitching performance on Friday night, on the road, and with a lot of uncertainty as to whether or not we would be able to play," head coach Greg Frady said. "I'm really proud of Wayne."
Roach, Kilgore and Sewell powered the offense as the Panthers (16-17, 5-8 Sun Belt) scored six of their seven runs with two outs.
Kilgore gave the Panthers an early lead with a two-run double in the second inning, scoring Sewell and Woullard, who both drew two-out walks.
One inning later, Roach delivered a two-out, RBI-single to bring home Justin Jones, who walked to lead off the inning.
The Panthers added two runs in the fifth as Jarrett Hood doubled with one out and then came home on Roach's single to center field. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, Roach scored on Sewell's opposite-field single to give GSU a 5-0 lead. That was the 100th career run scored by the senior catcher.
In the seventh, Sewell had another RBI-single, also to the opposite field, and then the freshman came around to score on a wild pitch as the Panthers extended their lead to 7-0.
Alex Hegner pitched the final two innings for Georgia State.
"For Wayne to come out and pitch seven innings and then Alex Hegner to finish it certainly helps us win, but it also keeps our bullpen in the right position for the rest of the series," Frady said.
"We really played really great defense to support our pitching staff. Our outfield defense was sensational tonight, and we put up a few hits and scored some runs. Darius Sewell had a great offensive night, and I'm really proud of him."
ULM (13-21, 4-9 Sun Belt) starter Trey Auger (1-1) took the loss.
The series continues Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.
