BOONE, N.C. – Four runs in the sixth would doom Appalachian State University baseball as it fell to Georgia State, 8-6, on Friday night after a four-hour rain delay.
The Mountaineers (14-24, 4-12 Sun Belt) moved the game up to 4 p.m. with hopes of avoiding rain but after just four outs, the teams exited the field for a rain delay that put the eventual restart time at 8:30 p.m.
Immediately back, Appalachian was able to put runs up on the board, taking a 3-0 lead over the Panthers (14-23, 4-12 Sun Belt). Matt Vernon shot a single to left field before Jason Curtis sacrificed him to second.
Tyler Stroup walked to set up a Drake Zupcic single to center field to bring home Vernon before Avery Jackson was able to send a two-RBI double down the left field line, scoring Zupcic and Stroup.
Georgia State put up four runs in the top of the third to take the lead, but it would be short-lived as the Black and Gold scored two in the bottom half. Stroup lasered one up the middle before Zupcic walked and Conner Leonard capitalized on reaching on a fielding error to load the bases.
Jackson then reached on a fielder's choice with Stroup getting out at home, but that set up Brian Bauk knocking one through the right side to bring home Leonard and Zupcic.
The Panthers took their final lead in the sixth by scoring their four runs (all unearned), however, Appalachian did close the gap to 8-6 by scoring in the seventh. Stroup again pulled an inside pitch through the right side after Curtis had been hit by a pitch to give Zupcic a chance to hit an RBI -single that plated Curtis.
Despite the loss, Appalachian matched GSU hit-for-hit, getting 10 on the day. The Diamond Apps, however, left five runners on base over the last three innings after only stranding three there prior.
Zupcic led all hitters with a perfect night, going 3-for-3 with two RBI, two walks and two runs. Jackson had another good outing at the plate as well in the designated hitter role. He went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
Bauk and Stroup also went 2-for-4 for the game, with Bauk batting in two runs as well.
After Travis Holden started the game and pitched the first inning before the rain delay, Colin Schmid pitched the next 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits, eight runs (four earned) and striking out seven. Schmid has now struck out 20 batters in his last two appearances, only walking three.
Reed Howell closed the final 3.1 innings of the game for App State, allowing just two hits and striking out three.
The Mountaineers' remaining series against the Panthers continues to be uncertain as rain and thunderstorms are forecasted in the High Country all weekend. First pitch for Game Two is tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22 with fans being encouraged to check appstatesports.com and @AppBaseball on Twitter for all schedule-related news.
