ATHENS, Ga. (Interstat) — In a wild, back-and-forth contest that defied pregame projections, the Georgia Bulldogs erupted for nine runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to overcome a late deficit and defeat the Georgia State Panthers 14-9 on Tuesday evening at Foley Field.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded under the lights, saw the visiting Panthers (13-17) build a commanding 9-5 lead with a six-run top of the eighth, only for the Bulldogs (24-6) to answer with a historic rally in their half of the frame.

Georgia State appeared to seize control in the eighth. With the Bulldogs leading 5-3, reliever Will Bartkoski and a parade of Georgia pitchers faltered. John Beverley launched a three-run homer to left field, and pinch-hitter Adam Haber followed three batters later with another three-run shot, stunning the home crowd and putting the Panthers ahead 9-5.

The momentum was short-lived. The Bulldogs’ offense, held in check for much of the game by Panthers starter Hunter Atkins, came alive against the Georgia State bullpen. Atkins was dominant early, allowing no hits and striking out five over 4 1/3 innings, but he was charged with three runs after his departure.

Georgia’s comeback began modestly in the bottom of the eighth. Tre Phelps, who was hit by a pitch, scored on a Dillon Jackson single to make it 9-7. After a run-scoring double from Paul Lujo, the Bulldogs loaded the bases and drew three consecutive walks to tie the game at 9.

With the bases still loaded, shortstop Kolby Branch hit a fielder’s choice to drive in the go-ahead run. Pinch-hitter Ryan Wynn then delivered the decisive blow, a two-run double to left field. Phelps, the nation’s leading hitter, capped the explosive inning with his second two-run homer of the afternoon, a blast to left field that provided the final margin.

Phelps finished 3 for 4 with two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored, continuing a torrid stretch for the Bulldogs’ star third baseman. Branch drove in three runs, while Wynn had two RBIs on his critical double.

The most important part of the game was unequivocally the Bulldogs’ bottom of the eighth inning. Facing a four-run deficit against a reinvigorated Panthers squad, Georgia sent 14 batters to the plate, scoring nine runs on five hits, five walks, and two hit batters. The inning completely reversed the narrative of the game, turning imminent defeat into a decisive victory and highlighting the relentless depth of the Bulldogs’ lineup.

Georgia reliever Joe Nottingham earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief, striking out three. Kenny Ishikawa also provided critical early relief, striking out four over 1 1/3 hitless frames after starter Leighton Brown struggled.

For Georgia State, Haber’s pinch-hit, three-run homer was the highlight in a losing effort. Beverley drove in three runs, and Sam Silas had three of the Panthers’ nine hits.

The result contradicted the pregame analytics from Interstat, which gave Georgia an 84.8% probability to win and projected a final score of 7-3.

Georgia opens a Southeastern Conference series at Mississippi State on Thursday. Georgia State travels to face Louisiana-Monroe for a Sun Belt Conference series starting the same day.