NASHVILLE, Tenn. --  Georgia State dropped an 8-7 decision to Belmont on Saturday afternoon at E.S. Rose Park.

The Panthers move to 8-3 on the season, while Belmont improves to 3-7.

Georgia State struck first in the opening inning. Jae Williams doubled to left field and later scored on an RBI single from Wesley Bass to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Cole Griffith added to the advantage in the second with a solo home run, pushing the lead to 2-0.

Belmont answered with two runs in the third before breaking the game open in the fourth inning. The Bruins scored five runs in the frame, highlighted by a three-run home run from L. Godsey, to take a 7-2 lead.

The Panthers responded in the fifth. Williams was hit by a pitch, and Wills Maginnis doubled to right field to put two runners in scoring position. Nick Garagozzo delivered a three-run triple to center field to cut the deficit to 7-5.

Belmont added a run in the bottom half of the fifth to extend its lead to 8-5, but Georgia State continued to battle. In the sixth, Hunter Carlson doubled to left field to drive in two runs, trimming the margin to 8-7.

Williams led the Panthers offensively, finishing 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Maginnis and Carlson each recorded two hits, while Garagozzo drove in three runs. Georgia State totaled 10 hits in the contest.

Brian Crooms (2-1) was charged with the loss. The Panthers used four pitchers in the game.

Georgia State and Belmont will play the second game of the doubleheader with the first pitch scheduled for 5:30 p.m.