Statesboro, Ga. --- The Georgia Southern baseball team (21-17, 7-9 SBC) fell to Arkansas State (18-19, 8-8 SBC) by a score of 6-4 on both team's first Thursday night contest of the season (April 17th).

The first half of the ball game was a starting pitcher duel, as both Brady Pendley for the Eagles and Gavin Galy for Arkansas State would hold zeroes for five straight innings. The two teams would combine for seven hits across those opening five frames, with both teams also stranding multiple runners in multiple innings. 

The Red Wolves finally got the scoring going in the sixth as a leadoff double would spark their offense to plate two and take the first lead of the series. Southern knows how to answer right back, though, as a Nico Senese and Sean Smith walk made way for both to score off a fielder's choice scenario for Sean White, coupled with the only error of the ball game to nod the contest at two after six.

With now Jacob Phillips on the mound, he would hold the Red Wolves in the seventh before his offense took the lead. JP Herrholz would take matters into his own hands and slam a two-run shot into right center field for his fourth homer of the season, and to give his squad the 4-2 lead. 

In the eighth, three free passes were allowed from the Eagles across the opening five batters of the frame, with the other two getting retired. With two away, the Red Wolves leadoff man would deliver a bases-clearing triple into left center to clear the bases and give them back the lead late. Also for good measure, he would get sent home by a single the very next batter to make it 6-4. The Eagles were unable to find a base runner after the eighth inning, falling in the series opener.

For Brady Pendley, he had a great showing in his first career start, only allowing two runs in 5.1 innings of work that included six strikeouts in a career high 91 pitches delivered. At the plate, Josh Tate would up his multi-hit game streak to now six after recording two on the night. Other hit streaks continued on the night included Senese's now six games and Sean White's even dozen contest of recording a base knock.

Next, the Eagles continue their series against the Red Wolves on Friday night (April 18th). First pitch on a night Celebrating Ag is set for 6:30 pm.