STATESBORO, Ga. -- Georgia State built an early lead and held the advantage into the late innings, but Georgia Southern scored single runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth to walk off the Panthers, 6-5, Saturday afternoon at J.I. Clements Stadium.
The Panthers fall to 24-27 overall and 12-15 in Sun Belt play.
Georgia State struck first in the opening inning. John Beverley led off with a double down the left-field line and came around to score on an RBI single from Wesley Bass, giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
The Panthers added two more runs in the second inning. Austin Sellers reached on an error before Wills Maginnis launched a two-run home run to left field, extending the lead to 3-0.
Georgia Southern cut into the deficit in the third inning with a two-run home run before tying the game at 3-3 in the fourth on a sacrifice fly.
Georgia State regained the lead in the fifth. Bass doubled to left center and later scored on a Georgia Southern error to put the Panthers back in front, 4-3. The Panthers added another run in the sixth inning when Beverley doubled and Maginnis followed with an RBI double to left center, pushing the lead to 5-3.
Georgia Southern began its late rally in the seventh, scoring on an RBI double to cut the lead to 5-4. The Eagles tied the game in the eighth on a solo home run from Sammy Leis. Georgia State threatened in the seventh after loading the bases, but could not add insurance. The Panthers were held scoreless over the final three innings.
Georgia Southern completed the comeback in the ninth. Bennett Edwards walked to start the inning before James McCoy followed with another walk. Brady Christman then delivered the walk-off single up the middle to give the Eagles the 6-5 win.
Maginnis led Georgia State offensively with three hits, including a home run and a double, while driving in three runs. Beverley added two doubles and scored twice, and Bass finished with two hits, an RBI and a run scored as part of a 10-hit effort.
Cole Roberts started on the mound and allowed three runs over 6.0 innings while striking out four. Niall Todd, Nicholas Holbrook and Montrell Christian Jr. worked in relief.
Georgia State will return home Thursday to open its final home series and final regular-season series against App State.
