ATLANTA, GA -- Georgia State secured the series win with a 9-5 victory over Arkansas State on Sunday afternoon at the GSU Baseball Complex.

With the win, the Panthers improve to 13-12 overall and 2-4 in Sun Belt Conference play, while Arkansas State falls to 16-8 and 3-3 in conference action.

Georgia State jumped out early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Hunter Carlson singled, and Wills Maginnis doubled before Nick Garagozzo drove in both runners with a two-RBI single. Austin Killingsworth followed with a solo home run to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead.

The Panthers added two more runs in the second inning. Cooper Milford singled, and Carter Bailey followed with a bunt single before a sacrifice bunt and a hit-by-pitch brought in a run. Maginnis later came around to score to extend the lead to 5-0.

Arkansas State answered with two runs in the second and two more in the third to cut the deficit to 5-4, but Georgia State responded in the fourth. Carlson launched a solo home run before Garagozzo delivered an RBI double to push the lead to 7-4.

After Arkansas State added a run in the fifth, the Panthers put the game away in the sixth inning. Carlson worked a walk, and Maginnis followed with a two-run home run, his third of the series, to extend the lead to 9-5.

Carlson led the Panthers offensively with a 3-for-3 performance, scoring three runs and driving in two. Maginnis added two hits, including a home run and two RBIs, while Garagozzo drove in three runs. Killingsworth also homered as part of a balanced 12-hit attack.

On the mound, Cole Roberts started and allowed five runs (three earned) over 4.2 innings. Michael Caruso (3-2) earned the win with 4.1 innings of scoreless relief, striking out five and allowing just one hit to close out the game.

Georgia State will return to action Tuesday at the GSU Baseball Complex, hosting Alabama State.