Dawgs woes continue

ATLANTA - Georgia State erased a couple of three-run deficits to defeat Georgia 10-7 Tuesday at the GSU Complex.

"We're not playing with a lot of confidence right now," said Georgia coach David Perno. "I thought we had a good start offensively, but then we gave it right back. The last two games we have had too many walks from our pitchers, and while we're getting hits, we're not driving in guys. We've got to clean some things up, and we will. There's 48 games left in the regular season, and I know we've got a talented team, we just have to start playing better all the way around."

The Bulldogs (2-6) jumped on GSU starter Ben Burns for three runs on three hits in the first. The first three Bulldogs reached and freshman designated hitter Daniel Nichols picked up an RBI on a bases-loaded hit by pitch. Senior designated hitter Brett DeLoach followed with a two-run double for a 3-0 edge.

The Panthers (5-4) got one run back on a Bulldog miscue in the bottom of the frame. Georgia reclaimed its three-run advantage in the second when the Panthers made an error that led to an unearned run. The Panthers responded with a three-run outburst in their half of the second, chasing freshman right-hander David Gonzalez. GSU collected two doubles, two wild pitches, a walk and two sacrifice flyouts to tie the contest. Georgia looked to junior left-hander Patrick Boling to get the final out of the second. Boling took care of the third inning and got a tremendous catch from centerfielder Hunter Cole up against the wall that saved two runs.

In the fourth, senior Curt Powell delivered a two-run double to put Georgia in front 6-4. In the fifth, Bulldog freshman catcher Zack Bowers smashed his second home run of the year to make it 7-4. All six of Georgia's home runs this year have been solo shots. The Panthers answered off Boling in the fifth with three hits and a wild pitch to close the gap to 7-6 as Georgia looked to redshirt freshman Mike Mancuso. He got the second out but then surrendered a two-run home to Chris Triplett to cap a four-run rally and give the Panther an 8-7 lead.

GSU added two more runs in the sixth off the Bulldog bullpen to extend its advantage to 10-7.

Georgia had a runner at third with one out in the sixth and seventh frames but failed to score and wound up 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position on the night.

Jerry Stuckey (1-0) earned the win while Matt Rose picked up his first save. Mancuso got the loss to fall to 0-1.

Georgia hosts UAB in a three-game set starting Friday.

The Bulldogs return to action Friday at Foley Field for the start of a three-game series with UAB. First pitch Friday will be at 6 p.m. One special promotion for Saturday, fans can use their men's basketball ticket from the Georgia-Tennessee game for free admission to the Bulldogs baseball game at Foley Field that will begin at 4 p.m.