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By Paul Watley | @WatP7

ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington rallied late to cut into a five-run deficit, but it wasn't enough in a 5-2 loss against Georgia State on Friday night at Clay Gould Ballpark.

The Mavericks (12-12, 4-2 Sun Belt) hit just .222 with runners on the bases and left a runner at third in three separate innings. The Panthers (15-12, 4-2 Sun Belt) were able able to attack early as their leadoff batters went 5-for-9 at the plate.

"Overall I thought it was a disappointing night," UT Arlington coach Darin Thomas said. "We had some chances early with some situational hitting, but didn't get it done. We've got to do a better job of making contact with guys on third base with less than two outs. We struck out three times with a man at third when all we have to do is just make contact, and there's three runs and we didn't do it."

Brady Cox and Christian Hollie paced the Maverick offense as the duo each went 2-of-4 with one RBI. Travis Sibley extended his five-game hit streak as the shortstop went 2-of-5.

The Panthers struck with single-run innings in the first and third to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Georgia State upped its lead 5-0 in the top of the eighth. The Mavericks looked to rally in the eighth with a pair of runs. After Tanner Houston walked to load the bases for UTA with one out, Cox notched a single to center that allowed Eric Tate to score.

In the next at-bat, Hollie singled to right field that plate RJ Williams. With the bases loaded and one out, the Mavs' hopes for a comeback were cut short with a strikeout and a groundout to end the threat.

"We battled and got in position, but we just needed one more hit and we didn't get it," Thomas said. "We had three different chances with the bases loaded or a man at third with less than two outs and we struck out. You've got to make contact in those situations."

Chad Nack (2-2) was pegged with the loss as the senior right-hander went seven innings on the mound, allowing five earned runs while striking out four.

"Give them credit, but I thought Chad did a good job battling through it," Thomas added. "He got better as the game went along and kept us in the game. We had some chances at the end, we just couldn't get the big hit."

Nathan Bates (3-0) claimed the win for Georgia State as he allowed six hits and no earned runs in his seven innings while fanning five.

UTA's two runs came off of nine hits without an error. GSU ended the night with five runs on 11 hits.

The Mavericks and Panthers return to action at Clay Gould Ballpark on Saturday with a matinee showdown at 2 p.m.