Troy, Ala. -- Will Kilgore's two-run single in the ninth inning broke a 2-2 tie and sent Georgia State to a 5-2 victory over Troy Friday night at Riddle-Pace Field, evening their Sun Belt Conference series at one game apiece.
Hunter Gaddis pitched seven strong innings, and Brandon Baker held the Trojans (18-9, 4-4 Sun Belt) scoreless over the final two innings to earn the victory for Georgia State (13-13, 2-5 Sun Belt).
Earlier in the day, the teams completed Game 1, which was suspended Thursday, as Troy won 14-4.
The series concludes with a 2 p.m. ET game Saturday.
GAME 1: Troy 14, Georgia State 4
In the completion of a game that was suspended Thursday, Troy scored 11 runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to win 14-4 in the series opener against Georgia State.
Both teams scored three runs in the first inning.
Georgia State jumped in front with five hits in the first off Troy ace Andrew Crane, including RBI-singles by Brandon Bell, Luke Leonard and Kalen Puckett.
But GSU starter Jordan Lee walked four in the bottom of the first, and the Trojans tied the game on a wild pitch and a two-run single by Chase Smartt.
The scored remained 3-3 when the game was delayed by lightning with Troy batting in the bottom of the third inning.
After the resumption Friday, Georgia State moved ahead with a run in the top of the fourth. Romero Greer and Justin Jones singled, and then Greer came home on Nick Gatewood's groundout, putting the Panthers ahead 4-3.
But after that, Troy reliever Cory Childress was able to finish the game without allowing another run, pitching six innings and allowing just one run on three hits with five strikeouts.
And the Trojans scored four runs in the fourth, four more in the fifth and three in the sixth as Georgia State pitchers struggled to find the strike zone, issuing 11 walks.
GAME 2: Georgia State 5, Troy 2
Will Kilgore's two-run single in the ninth inning broke a 2-2 tie and sent Georgia State to a 5-2 victory over Troy Friday night at Riddle-Pace Field, evening their Sun Belt Conference series at one game apiece.
Starter Hunter Gaddis pitched seven strong innings, and then Brandon Baker (2-1) retired the Trojans in order in the eighth and ninth to earn the victory.
With the scored tied at 2-2, Brandon Bell led off the top of the ninth with a single up the middle that was deflected by pitcher C.J. Carter (3-3), the Troy closer. Jack Thompson and Luke Leonard drew walks to load the bases, and then Kilgore laced the first pitch into to center field for a two-run single and a 4-2 GSU lead. With one out, Mike Huggins drove in an insurance run with a groundout to give the Panthers a 5-2 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Baker, the senior left-hander, quickly retired the Trojans, sealing the win with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout. He finished with three strikeouts in his two perfect innings.
Gaddis, the Panthers' ace, was not involved in the decision despite another outstanding start. In seven innings, he allowed two runs but only one earned on eight hits with eight strikeouts and two walks.
Before the ninth inning, all four runs in the game were scored in the second inning.
For the Panthers, Leonard singled with one out and then scored as Kilgore tripled over the center fielder's head. Romero Greer's sacrifice fly put Georgia State ahead 2-0.
But Troy answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning, aided by an error on a popup to shallow right field.
