ATLANTA, GA -- Georgia State earned its first Sun Belt Conference win of the season with a 5-2 victory over Arkansas State on Friday evening at the GSU Baseball Complex.

The Panthers improve to 12-11 overall and 1-3 in conference play, while Arkansas State falls to 15-7 and 2-2 in the Sun Belt.

Arkansas State struck first with a run in the opening inning, but Georgia State responded in the fourth. Wills Maginnis tied the game with a solo home run to left-center, his second of the season.

The Red Wolves regained the lead in the sixth on an unearned run, but the Panthers answered in the seventh. Nick Garagozzo singled, and John Beverley followed with a bunt single to put two runners on. After a walk loaded the bases, Austin Sellers delivered a two-run single to right field to give Georgia State a 3-2 lead.

Georgia State added insurance in the eighth inning. Hunter Carlson singled to start the frame before Cole Griffith delivered a two-run double to right-center, extending the lead to 5-2.

Garagozzo led the Panthers with two hits, while Sellers and Griffith each drove in two runs. Maginnis added the game-tying home run as part of a seven-hit performance for Georgia State.

On the mound, Tysen Benford turned in a strong start, allowing two runs (one earned) over 6.0 innings. Michael Caruso (2-2) earned the win with 2.0 scoreless innings in relief, and Will Bartkoski recorded his fourth save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Panthers will continue the series against Arkansas State on Saturday at the GSU Baseball Complex.