May 9, 2003

Box Score

ATLANTA, Ga. - Sean Fitzgerald led Georgia State going 5-for-5 with two RBI and the Panthers used a four-run eighth inning to break open a one-run game as GSU defeated Samford, 9-4, Friday evening at DeKalb South Field. The Panthers (23-25, 14-14 A-Sun) stayed alive in the race for the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament while the Bulldogs fell to 16-32 and 7-21 in the A-Sun.

Ronnie Robinson (9-1) held Samford to four runs on eight hits in 7 1/3 innings of work. Karl Huch (5-2) suffered the loss for the Bulldogs. Huch gave up four runs on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings. Stephen Burroughs added three hits for the Panthers. Justin Klinger and Matt Alling each had two hits for Samford.

Rusty Bennett's RBI double gave Georgia State a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Eric Hollis' leadoff home run in the top of the fifth tied the game, 1-1.

Dustin Phillips' RBI- single in the bottom of the fifth scored Kyle Breitbach giving the Panthers the lead again, 2-1. However, Michael Collins' third home run of the season for Samford tied the game once more, 2-2.

Georgia State retook the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Burroughs doubled to the right center gap. An error by the center fielder allowed Burroughs to reach third. Justin Newman's sacrifice fly scored Burroughs putting the Panthers ahead, 3-2. RBI singles by Breitbach and Fitzgerald extended the Panther lead to 5-2.

The Bulldogs came within 5-4 in the top of the eighth. Matt Alling, Robert Evans and Justin Klinger all singled to load the bases. Heath Owen drew a walk making it, 5-3. Hollis' sacrifice fly plated Robert Evans for the final run of the inning.

The Panthers scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth all with two outs. RBI singles by Fitzgerald and Burroughs along with a two-run single by Bennett provided the runs for the Panthers giving them the 9-4 advantage.

Phillips, Bennett, Tim Burgess and Breitbach each added two hits as GSU outhit Samford, 16-8. Collins, Robert Evans, Hollis and Wassermann each added one hit for Samford. Hollis also had two RBIs.

The Bulldogs and Panthers wrap up the series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. (EST).