ATLANTA -- Starter Rob Evans and reliever Brady Jones combined for a strong effort on the mound and Georgia State scored four runs in the sixth inning to rally for its fifth straight victory, 5-3 over Army Friday afternoon at the GSU Baseball Complex.
Matt Ruiz homered and Will Mize drove in two runs for the Panthers (7-6).
Evans, the sophomore lefthander, struck out six in 5.2 innings, giving up three runs on four hits with two walks, but did not figure in the decision. Jones (1-0), the sophomore righty, allowed just one hit in 3.1 scoreless innings, retiring the final 10 batters in order to earn his first victory.
Georgia State trailed 3-0 in the sixth inning when Colin Hynek started the rally by drawing a one-out walk. Ruiz followed with single and Ryan Dyal walked to load the bases for Mize, who delivered with a 2-run single to right field to make it 3-2.
Luke Boynton reached on a fielder's choice to score the tying run, and then JoJo Jackson doubled to left to bring home Mize and give the Panthers their first lead at 4-3.
Ruiz' solo homer in the eighth, his second of the season, provided an insurance run.
Through the first five innings, Army (5-6) starter Mike Ruggieri (0-2) allowed just baserunner on Mize's first-inning double before the Panthers broke through in the sixth.
Georgia State won its second straight game while trailing after five innings, following Wednesday's come-from-behind win over Mercer.
The series continues with a 6 p.m. game Saturday and then a doubleheader Sunday beginning at 11 a.m.
