Early Miscues Cost Trojans in Loss to Georgia State

Saturday, March 29

Atlanta, Ga.

2:00pm

Troy University

14-13, 3-4

Georgia State

14-14, 3-5

Troy

Georgia State

Early Miscues Cost Trojans in Loss to Georgia State

3/29/2014 5:10:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Wes Johnson

Box Score

ATLANTA, Ga. – Georgia State scored six runs in the first three innings with the help of three Troy errors en route to a 6-3 win on Saturday. The victory ensures the Panthers of a series win. Troy will look to avoid being swept as the teams meet in the series finale on Sunday at noon (CT).

Troy starter Shane McCain struggled with command and lack of defensive help early. In the first inning, GSU lead off batter Caden Bailey reached base on a fielding error and Nic Wilson later walked. With two outs, Chase Raffield singled to left field but a throwing error allowed both runners to score giving the Panthers an early 2-0 advantage.

McCain hit Zach Moon with a pitch with one out in the second before David Levy singled up the middle. Moon advanced to third, which is where the throw from the outfield was directed; Levy attempted to take second when a Troy throwing error allowed his to advance safely and the run to score.

The Panthers would tack on three more in the third inning – two on a Matt Rose home run.

The Trojans wouldn't respond until the fifth inning. Matthew Howard, Nick Masonia and Tyler Vaughn all singled to lead off the inning. After a strikeout, Clay Holcomb reached on a fielder's choice plating Troy's first run of the game. Garrett Pitts then lined a ball into center, which was dropped by the GSU defender. Two runs would score on the play cutting Georgia State's lead to 6-3.

Masonia finished the game 3-for-4. Holcomb and Howard had two hits each.

Troy would fail to score again as the offense left eight runners on base in the game. McCain allowed six runs – three earned – on eight hits. He did, however, extend his quality start streak to eight straight including in all seven starts this season.