Hennon Interview
ATLANTA – David Levy broke open a one-run game with a three-run triple in the sixth inning as the Georgia State Panthers took game one of a three-game set from the Georgia Southern Eagles 6-2 at the GSU Ballpark Complex.
The Eagles (28-25, 16-12) rallied to within a run, 3-2, in the top of the sixth after dropping behind 3-0 early.
Hunter Thomas drove in a lead off walk with a two-out bouncing ball that squeaked past the defense and into centerfield. Thomas finished with three hits, a double and two RBI.
"I thought
Hunter Thomas swung the bat well tonight and had some big hits for us," Head Coach
Rodney Hennon said.
Jason Richman, working in his first full inning of work, loaded the bases on a two-out walk of James Clements before Levy hit a dribbler down the first base line that rolled into the right field corner for a two-out triple.
"They got the big hit tonight," Hennon said. "The triple with the bases loaded was the killer. We had some opportunities but were unable to cash in and get that big hit."
The Panthers (29-23, 15-11) struck for a pair of first inning runs on a two-out double from Joey Roach. Sam Few recorded a lead off single off of
Evan Challenger to start the second inning and scored on a two-out base hit from Justin Jones.
Challenger (5-3) settled in to retire eight of the last 9 batters he faced, including seven in a row from the third to the fifth inning. The redshirt-sophomore lefthander was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs on six hits over 4.2 innings.
Nathan Bates tossed three scoreless frames before allowing the first of two runs in the fourth inning. Bates (5-3) worked six innings, allowed a base runner in all but the fifth inning and struck out six to pick up the win.
The Eagles loaded the bases with a one-out single and a pair of two-out walks in the seventh inning but were unable to capitalize after Wayne Wages retired
Ryan Cleveland with an infield pop out.
The series continues tomorrow with a 6 p.m. first pitch. Righthander
Tripp Sheppard (4-2, 2.93 ERA) will take the mound and will face lefthander Kenny Anderson (5-3, 4.65 ERA).
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