NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Behind a dominant outing from Tysen Benford, Georgia State opened its weekend series at Belmont with a 4-1 victory Friday afternoon at E.S. Rose Park.

The Panthers improve to 8-2 on the season, while Belmont falls to 2-7.

Benford (2-0) was outstanding on the mound, tying his career high with 10 strikeouts over 6.0 innings. The right-hander allowed just one run on three hits and did not issue a walk

Georgia State struck first in the second inning. Lucas Grantham singled to center before Jae Williams was hit by a pitch. Carter Bailey followed with an RBI single to left, scoring Grantham for a 1-0 lead.

Belmont tied the game in the fourth with an unearned run, but the Panthers regained the lead in the seventh. Bailey was hit by a pitch and later scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Wills Maginnis to make it 2-1.

Georgia State added insurance in the ninth. Williams singled and Bailey reached on a bunt single before Adam Haber knocked home a run on a fielder's choice. Bailey scored on a balk as the Panthers extended the lead to 4-1.

Bailey paced the offense, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Grantham collected two hits, while Williams and Haber each added a hit. The Panthers totaled six hits in the contest.

Michael Caruso earned his first career save, tossing 3.0 innings of one-hit relief with two strikeouts to close out the victory.

Georgia State and Belmont will continue the series Saturday with a doubleheader in Nashville.