HARRISONBURG, Va. – Georgia State used a fast start and a late surge to defeat James Madison 11-5 on Saturday afternoon at Eagle Field at VMP, clinching the series with one game remaining.

Colin Hynek got the Panthers going right away, sending a home run over the right-field wall in the top of the first inning. Georgia State (20-13, 7-4 SBC) added two more in the second after Jesse Donohoe reached on an error, and Carter Bailey hit his sixth home run of the season, a two-run shot that made it 3-0.

The Dukes cut into the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning, but Georgia State answered back in the third. Kaleb Freeman singled and scored on an RBI check-swing double from Jesse Donohoe to extend the lead to 4-2.

James Madison (10-21, 4-7 SBC) tied the game in the fourth and took the lead in the seventh. The turning point came in the eighth when Georgia State erupted for four runs. A pinch-hit single from Cole Griffith sparked the rally, and Colin Hynek cleared the bases to give the Panthers an 8-5 lead. 

The Panthers tacked on two more in the ninth. With runners on second and third, Freeman drove a double down the right field line to plate both runs.

Caleb White (5-3) earned the win in relief, pitching two strong innings and allowing just two hits. Jacob Crews entered in the eighth and worked two clean innings to pick up his fifth save of the year, including a double play to end the game.

With the win, Georgia State secured the series victory and will go for the sweep on Sunday at 10 a.m.

GAME NOTES
» The Panthers' power output was led by Hynek, who had two extra-base hits in the ballgame.
» Hynek drove in four runs for Georgia State.
» Four Panthers had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Panthers out-hit the Dukes at a 12-5 clip.
» Georgia State went 4-for-12 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Georgia State pitchers limited JMU to just 1-for-8 (.125) with runners in scoring position.
» The Panthers drew five walks from JMU pitching.