Box Score Box score

Northeastern blew a five-run lead in the eighth, but regained the lead with a three-run ninth ninth to take an exciting 9-7 road win over Georgia State on Saturday. Frank Compagnone batted 3-for-5 with two doubles and a go-ahead triple to lead NU on offense. Starter Charly Bashara was amazing through seven innings, striking out seven before getting tagged for six runs in the eighth.

Bashara held a powerful Gearogia State team quiet while his own squad worked the bats, giving NU the opportunity to lead 6-1 after seven innings. The Panthers' run in the fourth inning was unearned as GSU took advantage of one of the Huskies' five errors.

Tony DiCesare and Pete Castoldi each got two doubles on the day. All nine of the Huskies' starting fielders earned a hit. Compagnone drove in three runs and Matt Miller scored three of NU's nine runs.

The Huskies scored in the top of the first. Miller led off with a single, and he moved all the way around, eventually scoring on a groundout. Bashara held GSU scoreless over the first three frames, and NU's offense obliged by giving him a 5-0 lead by tacking on two in the third and two more in the fourth.

Alan Pastyrnak led off the third with a double, followed by a walk from Miller (he had two on the day). DiCesare then launched a ball to left center, scoring both. DiCesare finished with two RBIs and two runs scored.

The Huskies added two more in the fourth, using a leadoff double from Jon Leroux, an RBI single from Brendan Stokes and an RBI double from Castoldi. GSU added a run in the bottom of the frame, making it a 5-1 score after five complete.

Both squads were scoreless until NU tacked on another in the seventh. Consecutive doubles from DiCesare and Compagnone put the score at 6-1 in the Huskies' favor.

But Georgia State held NU scoreless in the ninth before rallying all the way back to take a 7-6 lead. The six-run frame was highlighted by a three-run homer from Carl Moniz. Bashara was responsible for all seven of the Panthers' runs. Chris Carmain threw 1-2/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just two hits and shutting down the Panthers in the final inning to get his first collegiate win.

NU, now just three outs from defeat in a 7-6 game, rallied for three runs in the ninth, courtesy of Compagnone. Miller led off with a walk, DiCesare followed with a one-out walk, setting the table for Compagnone's triple. Compagnone scored on the play by virtue of an error by the shortstop, putting the Huskies up 9-7. Compagnone would have scored on the next play regardless, because John Puttress roped a triple right after Compagnone. But the Huskies stranded him at third, sending Carmain to the mound to close out the game. GSU stranded runners at first and third when the final out was recorded.

The Huskies and Panthers battle in a game three rubber match tomorrow. NU sends sophomore Andrew Leenhouts, one of the best pitchers in the NCAA, to the bump in hopes of riding the powerful lefty's arm to a series win. Live stats and radio will be available.