Box Score | Griffin Interview | Full Video Replay

STATESBORO, Ga. - Chase Griffin capped off a four-run seventh inning with a two-RBI single as the Georgia Southern Eagles took the first game in a three-game Southern Conference series from the Appalachian State Mountaineers 7-4 on Friday night.

Jason Richman allowed a two-RBI triple in the sixth inning, but settled in to hold Appalachian State (5-15, 0-1 SoCon) scoreless over 2.2 innings for his fourth win of the season. Richman (4-0) struck out four batters and allowed two hits.

Matt McCall recorded the final two outs of the ball game for his fifth save of the season.

"It was really big for us to win tonight, especially after opening conference play up at Elon last weekend and losing two games," Griffin said. "It was big to come out here and get this first one in this three-game series."

Georgia Southern (18-5, 2-2 SoCon) trailed 4-2 after Preston Troutman's two-out triple in the top of the sixth inning plated a pair of runs. Stryker Brown tied the game with a two-out bases loaded single off of reliever Zach Joyce in the seventh inning, and Griffin plated two more with a line drive past the third baseman a batter later.

"They were pitching a lot of the guys the same way, throwing sliders from the right-handed pitchers to the right-handed batters. I was trying to sit on something in a hitter's count, and he threw me something off speed that I was able to get a barrel on," Griffin said.

Joyce (0-1) faced two batters and failed to record a hit in relief of starter Jamie Nunn. Joyce surrendered two runs on a hit and a walk. Nunn struck out eight over 6.2 innings but received a no decision.

Eagle starter Sam Howard punched out five batters over 5.2 innings. He allowed four runs – two earned – on six hits and one walk. Howard walked William Head in a 12-pitch battle to start the ball game and allowed a single to Tyler Zupzic. He would have left both base runners stranded if not for a two-out error by first baseman Ryan Cleveland.

"Sam did really well. It was a tough first inning and a tough way to start the game. He responded really well and is still throwing it very good," Griffin said.

GSU tallied 10 hits and had three Eagles record multi-hit days. Garren Palmer joined Brown and Griffin with two hits on the day, including his second home run of the season in the third inning.

The three-game set continues tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. Josh Wirsu will take the mound for the Eagles and will be countered by Tyler Moore. Saturday is "Kids Take Over the Game" Day and children ages 5-12 can help the marketing staff run the game.

Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics and twitter.com/GSAthletics.

Notes: The seventh-inning rally was the first for the Eagles, who had been 0-4 when trailing after six innings this season... The series opening win against the Mountaineers was the first for GSU since 2010... The Eagles had previously lost three-straight series openers to Appalachian State... GSU improved to 15-2 at home and 15-4 on the weekend... The Eagles are now 9-4 when the opponent scores first in a game and are 13-1 when hitting one or more home runs... GSU equaled their home run output from a year ago with their 32nd home run in just 23 games. The 2013 team hit 32 home runs in 59 games... The win moved Head Coach Rodney Hennon to within one victory of career win #600. Hennon is 599-385-1 in 985 career games... Matt McCall moved to within one save of tying Matt Murray and Brian Harrison for 10th all-time on the GSU career saves list... GSU has tallied 10 or more hits in 11 of their last 14 contests, including 10 hits last night... Kody Adams and Ben Morgan both had six-game hit streaks come to an end last night... Chase Griffin and Kody Adams extended their reached base streak to 10 games... Sam Howard left with a no decision his first of the season. Howard walked just one batter last night, extending his streak to six starts with one or fewer walks. The 5.2 innings pitched was his shortest outing since the season-opener at Georgia... Jason Richman improved to 4-0 and is tied for the team lead in victories with Josh Wirsu after picking up the win last night.