UNC Wilmington blasts Panthers

Seahawks score seven in seventh for 15-0 victory.

Georgia State fell flat in the opener of its baseball homestand.

The Panthers were blasted 15-0 by UNCWilmington in the first of a three-game series.

Tyler Mcswait (7-2) struck out six for the shutout, his 20th career victory.

Justin Malone (1-2) took the loss for the Panthers (18-24, 9-10 CAA).

“Tonight was certainly not our night, but this is a long series,” Georgia State coach Greg Frady said. “I can say that we’re going to come out tomorrow with the focus and energy needed to compete tomorrow. I talked about that with our team and that’s what we expect.”

The Seahawks pushed the first two runs across in the sixth on an infield single and a bases-loaded walk.

With two outs in the seventh, UNCW exploded for seven straight runs on six hits, highlighted by Thomas Pope’s two-run triple.

Malone finished with six strikeouts over 6 ⅔ innings, walking two.

The Panther offense did not break through in the later innings against Mcswain, adding three hits but grounding into double plays that ended the seventh and eighth.

The Seahawks added six more runs in the ninth inning, led by Corey Dick’s two-run homer.

Caden Bailey and Brandon Williams each had two hits for Georgia State. GSU has dropped six straight in the series with UNCW.

The teams continue their series today at 1 p.m. at the GSU Baseball Complex. wealth’s Marc Dobias by one shot.

Grant Cagle shot 75 and three Panthers had 77s in the blustery conditions at Wilmington Country Club: Clemens Dvorak, Tyler Gruca and freshman Davin White.

All five Georgia State golfers are in the top 16, as the team seeks its seventh conference championship.

“Everyone played well today, but Damon really stepped up,” said coach Joe Inman.

“Playing even par golf on a very tough course and in these conditions is among the most impressive rounds I have seen in a long time. He has had a great spring season so far and I know he and the rest of the team want it to continue into regional play.”

VCU is third after a 305. James Madison stands fourth following a first day 306, followed by Old Dominion at 23-over.

The winning team receives the CAA’S automatic bid to one of six NCAA Regional sites, which will be played May 17-19.

The full field of teams and individuals will be announced as part of the selection show May 7.

The baseball Owls (2818, 12-7 Atlantic Sun) lost a 5-2 decision against Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers.

Josh Carr (8-2) lost for the first time since the season opener.

Florida Gulf Coast jumped out to the early lead in the bottom of the fourth inning with three runs.

Florida Gulf Coast opened the frame with a single by Ryan Gebhart before the Eagles bunted him to second before Sean Dwyer roped an RBI double.

FGC tallied three more singles in the inning and two more runs to take a 30 advantage.

The Eagles scored two more runs in the seventh inning to take a 5-0 lead and held the Owls scoreless until the ninth.

In their last opportunity to make it a game, Kennesaw state loaded the bases with no outs. Chris Mcgowan singled to drive in two runs, but Florida Gulf Coast pitcher Ricky Knapp induced a ground ball from Jacob Bruce to end the game.