Atlanta, GA – Contributed – Arkansas State (15-7, 2-2 SBC) dropped the opening game at Georgia State (12-11, 1-3 SBC) 5-2 Friday evening at GSU Baseball Complex.
The Red Wolves gained momentum out the jump, with Ashton Quiller striking a leadoff single before coming around to score on a hit from Evan Griffis.
Defensively, Chase Richter ran down the Panther lineup the first time around with ease, retiring all nine batters across the first three innings, striking out four along the way. A solo shot for GSU leveled the score in the fourth, but Richter found his rhythm again, facing the minimum number of batters in the fifth and sixth innings.
An infield play let A-State add another run to re-establish the one-run lead.
Back-to-back singles in the seventh ended Richter’s night at 6.1 IP. The two runners came around to score for Georgia State to take the 3-1 lead. Richter’s total stat line included four hits and three runs allowed with seven total strikeouts.
A two-run double in the bottom of the eighth pushed the Panther lead up to three with the Red Wolves having as many outs to work with. A-State was unable to find the answer in the top of the ninth.
Win: Michael Caruso (2-2)
Loss: Chase Richter (2-2)
Save: Will Bartkoski (4)
UP NEXT
A-State returns to GSU Baseball Complex Saturday, March 21 at 2 p.m. CST to face Georgia State in game two of the series.