CHARLOTTE (Interstat) — Kai Wagner homered twice, including a three-run blast in the top of the ninth inning, and the Pittsburgh Panthers defeated the Florida State Seminoles 8-6 on Friday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium.

Wagner, a third baseman, finished two for four with two home runs and four runs batted in. His final long ball erased a one-run deficit and sent the Panthers to their second straight victory after a three-game losing streak. Pittsburgh improved to 33-23 overall and 16-13 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Florida State dropped to 38-17 and 18-11 in league play.

Pittsburgh seized control in the first inning. With one out, Luke Dulin reached on a bunt single and advanced on an error. Wagner walked, and Trey Fenderson crushed a three-run home run to right field. The Panthers led 4-0 before Florida State starter Wes Mendes recorded the final two outs of the inning.

The Seminoles answered in the bottom half. Joe Stuetzer singled, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Alex DeLamielleure to make it 4-1.

Mendes settled in after the rocky first, but Pittsburgh added to its lead in the fifth. Wagner led off with a solo home run to left field, extending the advantage to 5-1.

Florida State responded emphatically in the bottom of the fifth against reliever Chase Kriebel. After a walk and a single, a fielder’s choice loaded the bases. Ben Barrett then drove a grand slam to right field, clearing the bases and tying the game at 5-5. Barrett, the Seminoles first baseman, finished two for five with the home run and four RBIs.

Joey Ciancimino replaced Kriebel and escaped further damage, but the damage was done. The game remained tied until the eighth inning when Florida State took the lead without a hit. Stuetzer was hit by a pitch, stole second and advanced to third on a groundout. After an intentional walk to Jake Carns, Barrett reached on a fielding error by second baseman Trey Fenderson, allowing Stuetzer to score the unearned run. The Seminoles led 6-5.

Pittsburgh answered in the top of the ninth. With one out, Joe Nessler singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Ryan Carrier walked. Wagner then crushed his second home run of the day, a three-run shot to right-center field, putting the Panthers back in front 8-6.

Pittsburgh’s bullpen held firm after that. David Leslie pitched three scoreless innings of relief, striking out six without allowing a hit, earning the win. Leslie entered in the seventh and retired the side in order in the eighth. In the ninth, he struck out two around a groundout to close the game.

Starter Eddie Smink worked four innings, giving up one earned run on no hits while striking out seven. His only blemish was a first-inning run charged to him after he left the game. Chris Knier pitched three scoreless innings for Florida State, striking out five and allowing one hit. Mendes took the no-decision after giving up four earned runs on seven hits in five innings, striking out eight.

Trey Fenderson added two hits, including his three-run homer, and finished with three RBIs. Mason Ligenza contributed two hits for the Panthers, who outhit the Seminoles 10-8.

Florida State’s loss came despite a strong performance from its pitching staff after the first inning. The Seminoles had won their previous three games against Pittsburgh earlier this month, sweeping a three-game series in Tallahassee from May 2-3. Friday’s matchup was the first game between the teams since that series.

Wagner’s performance continued a recent hot streak. He had driven in two runs in a win at Louisville on May 19 and collected a hit in a win at Wake Forest on May 20.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Florida State 7, Pittsburgh 4, and its ELO system gave the Seminoles a 72.50 percent probability of winning. Florida State was installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus 1.5.