The Georgia State baseball team jumped to the top of the Sun Belt Conference standings after a sweep of Sun Belt foe University of Texas-Arlington.
Game 1
The series started with a 5-2 Panthers win. Junior Nathan Bates pitched seven shutout innings for the panthers. Bates allowed six hits and struck out five batters. Bates is now 3-0 on the season.
With the Panthers up 1-0 after Ryan Blanton scored on a sacrifice bunt following his double, freshman Justin Jones scored on junior Matt Rose’s sacrifice fly in the third inning.
The Panthers added two more runs in the eighth inning, pulling further ahead when junior outfielder Cam Sperry had a pinch hit single.
Texas-Arlington brought in two runs in the bottom of the eighth after loading the bases. Brady Cox and Christian Hollie both singled and brought in runs, placing the score at 5-2.
Georgia State brought in senior Kevin Burgee as he pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his fourth save of the season and his 12th of his career. This places him at second place in Panthers history for saves.
Game 2
The Panthers moved into first place with the series-clinching win against UTA, winning 6-4 in extra innings on Saturday.
Caden Bailey drove in the go-ahead runs in the top of the eleventh inning. The Panthers then turned to their closer Burgee and he quickly slammed the door for his fifth save.
Senior left-handed pitcher Kenny Anderson started for the Panthers and pitched five and a third of an inning. Anderson gave up two runs and four hits.
Freshman Logan Barnette pitched the bottom of the 10th inning and picked up his first win of the season.
Game 3
The Panthers completed the sweep with a 2-1 victory in 10 innings on Sunday. Georgia State brought home the winning run when sophomore Trae Sweeting scored on a wild pitch in the top of the 10th inning.
Logan Barnette finished the final four innings and picked up the win for Georgia State.
The Panthers face Georgia Tech at home tonight at 6 p.m.
