What You Need to Know:
• Georgia State ended its season with a 5-1 loss at Georgia Southern.
• Georgia Southern won the series, two games to one, but Georgia State has already clinched the Rivalry Series for 2015-16.
• Eight GSU seniors concluded their careers, including catcher Joey Roach, the injured standout who started his final game
behind the plate, then left the game after one batter with an ovation from teammates and fans.
Statesboro, Ga. -- Georgia State ended its season with a 5-1 loss at Georgia Southern Saturday afternoon at J.I. Clements Stadium.
Fighting through numerous injuries throughout the spring and especially in the last few weeks, Georgia State finished the season at 24-31 overall, 10-20 in the Sun Belt. The Panthers remained in contention for one of the eight spots in the Sun Belt tournament until Friday night, when they were eliminated by Arkansas State's come-from-behind win.
In today's finale, Georgia Southern starter Brian Eichorn (5-2) tossed a complete game, allowing just one run on four hits with four strikeouts to lead the Eagles (33-23, 16-14 Sun Belt), who won the series. But Georgia State has already clinched the inaugural Rivalry Series all-sports competition between the two schools for 2015-16.
Freshman Nick Gatewood drove in the Panthers' run with a ninth-inning groundout that scored Will Johnson, who led off with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch and stole third.
Georgia State catcher Joey Roach, the senior standout who has been unable to play the last two weeks with a hand injury, started his final game behind the plate. After the Georgia Southern leadoff hitter was retired on a fly ball, Roach left the game, applauded by his teammates and fans.
Roach's injury was one of several key losses the Panthers' suffered this season. Friday starting pitcher Cole Uvila was lost for the season after just three starts, and starting left fielder and leadoff hitter Jaylen Woullard missed nearly a month before returning for the final two games. Then starting second baseman Will Kilgore was injured in Friday's win over Georgia Southern.
In addition to Roach, seven other GSU seniors concluded their careers. Pitcher Clayton Payne had a good outing in relief in his final appearance, allowing just one hit in three innings with three strikeouts and retiring the final eight batters he faced.
Designated hitter Sam Few got a hit in his final at-bat with an eighth-inning single.
"We had to overcome a lot of adversity this season in the way of injuries to key players," head coach Greg Frady said, "but our guys kept fighting. We got to play a lot of young players and learn what they can do, and it's exciting to know that we will be returning a more experienced team.
"It's always hard to say good-bye to your seniors," Frady continued. "You're happy for them and what they've accomplished, and you want them to go on and be successful, but it's still hard. I appreciate all these seniors and everything they brought to our organization."
