Troy Drops Series Opener to Georgia State

Friday, March 28

Atlanta, Ga.

5:00pm

Troy University

14-12, 3-3

Georgia State

13-14, 2-5

Troy

Georgia State

Photo by: Joshua Thurston

3/28/2014 9:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Wes Johnson

Box Score

ATLANTA, Ga. – The Troy University baseball team couldn't fend off a persistent offensive attack from Georgia State, falling to the Panthers 8-6 to open a three-game series at the GSU Baseball Complex on Friday.

Trailing 3-1 in the fourth inning, Troy (14-12, 3-3 SBC) scored three runs to take the lead. GSU would reclaim the advantage in the fifth and never look back, though the Trojans would draw within one run twice.

In the fourth, Jo-El Bennett led off with an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error by the Georgia State shortstop. Matthew Howard would beat out the throw on a bunt down the third base line. Nick Masonia doubled down the left field line to score Bennett and Masonia and tie the game. After a sacrifice bunt advanced Masonia to third, Tyler Vaughn it a deep fly ball to plate the go-ahead run.

Troy starter Tanner Hicks ran into trouble in the bottom of the fifth after he allowed a single and hit a batter. An RBI double by Chase Raffield tied the game. After William Shell took over on the mound, Caden Bailey grounded out to second base to hand the Panthers the lead. GSU would add a run in the sixth to build a two-run lead.

Hicks (2-4) would take the loss on the mound lasting just 4 1/3 innings allowing five runs – all earned – on seven hits. He struck out three and walked two.

With two outs and Trevin Hall on first, Bennett walked before Howard singled down the left field line scoring Hall. Again, GSU (13-14, 2-5) would respond, this time with a solo home run from Chris Tripplett in the seventh. Troy tried once again to creep back into the game with a Garrett Pitts RBI single but the Panthers were able to once again respond and get the run back in the bottom half of the inning.

Kenny Anderson (3-2) picked up the win for Georgia State pitching six innings allowing four runs on eight hits. The Trojans would strand 10 runners in the game.

David Hall, Pitts, Howard and Masonia all finished with two hits each.

Troy and Georgia State are scheduled to face off in game two at 1 p.m. (CT) on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on WTBF 94.7 FM.