DECATUR, Ga. (Interstat) — The Charleston Southern Buccaneers erupted for a 10-run sixth inning, capitalizing on a cascade of Georgia State miscues to turn a tight contest into a rout and secure a 15-7 victory over the Panthers on Friday night at the Georgia State Baseball Complex.

The game’s decisive turning point arrived in the top of the sixth with Charleston Southern leading 5-4. What began as a manageable inning for Georgia State rapidly unraveled due to defensive failures. The Buccaneers sent 15 batters to the plate, scoring 10 runs on only six hits, as Panthers pitchers and fielders combined for three errors, two wild pitches, a passed ball and three hit batters in the frame.

The inning featured multiple costly mistakes. After Nathan Martinez led off with a single and advanced to third on a throwing error, Blake Edgmon drove him in with an RBI single that was compounded by another Panthers error. Caden Wolfley followed with an RBI double. Later, with the bases loaded, Alex Marot delivered a two-run single. The most damaging sequence saw two runs score on a single by Gavin Speirs that was misplayed by the pitcher, allowing an additional run to cross. The parade continued with an RBI single by Martinez and a bases-loaded walk by Edgmon. Wolfley was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in another run.

When the inning finally ended, Charleston Southern had transformed a one-run lead into a 15-4 advantage, effectively sealing the outcome. The Buccaneers finished with 15 hits, while Georgia State committed four errors, all of which proved pivotal.

Charleston Southern starter Titus von Kapff labored through five innings, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits but earned the win. The Buccaneers’ bullpen provided critical relief, as Jack Bunnell delivered four scoreless innings, surrendering no hits and striking out three to close out the game.

Offensively for Charleston Southern, Alex Marot led the charge, going 4 for 5 with three RBIs. Blake Edgmon drove in three runs, while Caden Wolfley and Nathan Martinez each added two RBIs. Martinez scored four runs.

Georgia State was led by Carter Bailey, who homered and doubled, driving in two runs. Hunter Carlson hit a two-run homer in the first inning, and John Beverley went 3 for 4 with two runs scored. The Panthers’ pitching staff struggled with control and defense, issuing eight walks and hitting five batters.

The victory improved Charleston Southern’s record to 11-2, while Georgia State fell to 9-6. The result defied pregame projections from Interstat, whose simulator had predicted an 8-6 Buccaneers win and whose ELO system gave Georgia State a 60.1% probability of victory.

The two teams are scheduled to continue their three-game series on Saturday.