DECATUR, Ga. (Interstat) — Brian Crooms delivered a dominant seven-inning start and Adam Haber’s two-run, pinch-hit single broke a sixth-inning tie, lifting the Georgia State Panthers to a 5-2 victory over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader at Georgia State Baseball Complex.

The Panthers, who evened the weekend series after a lopsided loss Friday, improved to 10-6 overall. The Buccaneers, who entered the day with an 11-2 record, saw their three-game winning streak snapped.

The game’s decisive sequence unfolded in the bottom of the sixth inning. Charleston Southern starter Brady Bickett, who had held Georgia State hitless through 5 1/3 innings, ran into command trouble. He hit Hunter Carlson, allowed a single to Carter Bailey and was relieved by Drew Dawson with the bases loaded and one out. Dawson walked in the go-ahead run before giving way to Christian Krause.

Krause faced pinch-hitter Adam Haber with the bases still loaded. Haber laced a single to left-center, driving in two runs to extend Georgia State’s lead to 5-2. The three-run inning erased Charleston Southern’s early advantage and provided all the support needed for Crooms and the Panthers’ bullpen.

Crooms, the top star for Georgia State, earned the win. He allowed two runs on five hits over seven strong innings, striking out four and walking one. After surrendering both runs in a rocky first inning, he settled in to retire 15 of the final 18 batters he faced. Jacob Crews closed the game with two perfect innings of relief, striking out two.

Charleston Southern struck quickly in the first inning against Crooms. Chandler Tuupo and Alex Marot singled, and Lucas Pringle was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Gavin Speirs then doubled down the left-field line, driving in two runs for an early 2-0 lead.

Georgia State answered immediately in its half of the first against Bickett. John Beverley singled, stole second and scored on an RBI double from Wills Maginnis. Maginnis later scored on an error during a fielder’s choice play, tying the game 2-2.

Bickett’s final line was deceptive, as he took the loss despite not allowing a hit. Over 5 1/3 innings, he yielded three runs, walked four, hit two batters and struck out three. Krause provided 2 1/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief for the Buccaneers.

Offensively, Georgia State managed seven hits, with Bailey collecting two. Charleston Southern was held to five hits, with Speirs driving in both runs.

The victory marked a significant rebound for Georgia State after a 15-7 defeat to the Buccaneers on Friday. The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.