FAIRFAX, Va. - Georgia State senior pitcher Ben Marshall pitched a complete game, and the Panther offense supported his effort by scoring runs early as the Panthers beat the George Mason baseball team, 8-3, on Saturday afternoon at Spuhler Field.

Marshall (3-2) earned the win in the longest start of his career, giving up just three runs (two earned) on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

For the second-consecutive game the Panthers (13-15, 5-3 CAA) dented the scoreboard in the top of the first, bringing in three runs on three consecutive hard-hit singles to go up, 3-0.

GSU added two more runs in the top of the third inning, extending the lead to 5-0. With two outs and the bases loaded, the Patriots looked like they were going to get out of the inning as redshirt sophomore outfielder Josh Leemhuis made a diving catch on a fly ball by Georgia State catcher Landon Anderson, but it was ruled that he dropped the ball, allowing two Panthers runs to cross home plate.

Again falling victim to two-out run production from Georgia State, the Panthers received a bases-loaded clearing double deep to right center field from outfielder Kody Adams, leaving the scoreboard at 8-0 in favor of the visitors.

Mason (17-11, 5-6 CAA) recorded its first runs of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning, bringing home two runs. With one out, senior shortstop Brig doubled down the right field line, and senior outfielder Dan Schafferman followed with a single through the left side, leaving runners on the corners. Tison then came home on a passed ball that also advanced Schafferman to second base, where he eventually scored on a hard-hit single down the right field line by Leemhuis, bringing the score to 8-2.

Another Patriot run crossed the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning on and RBI infield groundout by junior outfielder Nick Allen to inch Mason closer, 8-3, but that is all the closer it would get as GSU evened the weekend series at one game apiece.

Mason starter Ryan Pfaeffle (2-3) took the loss after working three innings and giving up five runs (three earned) on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Freshman John Williams and redshirt sophomore Sean Cabrera each threw three innings of relief, with Williams giving up three runs on four hits with a walk and three strikeouts while Cabrera surrendered three hits with four strikeouts.

Tison (2-for-4) and Schafferman (2-for-3) were the only Patriots to record multiple hits, as each finished with two. Senior designated hitter Zack Helgeson kept his on-base streak alive at 21 games, as he earned a walk in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Adams paced the GSU offense with a 2-for-4, four RBI, two runs scored performance at the plate.

The Patriots conclude their three-game series with the Panthers tomorrow at noon.