CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Georgia State fell 5-2 at Charleston Southern Friday night as the Buccaneers hit the go-ahead grand slam in the eighth inning, spoiling another strong start by Hunter Gaddis.

Gaddis, the junior right-hander, allowed two runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts and no walks, and designated hitter Elian Merejo drove in both GSU (1-3) runs with a homer and an RBI-single.

Gaddis took a 2-1 lead into the eighth inning but pinch hitter Justin Dahill led off with a double. Will White came on to pitch, and CSU loaded the bases on a walk and a fielder's choice.

With the bases now loaded and still no outs, freshman Joseph Brandon came on and quickly struck out the Buccaneers' No. 3 and No. 4 hitters. But Max Ryerson hit a grand slam, just out of the reach of right fielder Brandon Bell.

The Panthers jumped in front with a run in the first inning on consecutive singles by Griffin Cheney, who had two hits in the game, Jake Corso and Elian Merejo, who drove in Cheney for the 1-0 lead.

Merejo led off the fourth inning with a towering blast to left field, his first homer of the season, to extend the GSU lead to 2-0.

Charleston Southern (2-3) cut the lead in half on Kyle Horton's solo homer in the sixth.

The Georgia State staff struck out 10, but four Charleston Southern pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts and no walks.

With rain in the forecast for Sunday, the teams will conclude the series with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1p.m. Jake Rogers and Trey Horton will be the GSU starting pitchers.