Box Score
STATESBORO, GA.  – Georgia Southern Softball posted a 9-1 win over Elon to complete the weekend sweep and record the team's first run-rule win in league play this season. The Eagles tallied nine hits, including three from Taylor Rogers who stole two bases, scored two runs and drove in one more.

"That was another great team win," said Head Coach Annie Smith. "We played well in all aspects of the game. We got hits up and down the lineup, our pitching did a great job and our defense did a great job. Overall, I'm happy with getting a sweep this weekend."

With the win, Georgia Southern posted its ninth-straight win over the Phoenix and improves to 21-10 overall and 5-1 in league play. Elon is 16-12-1 on the season and 1-5 in the SoCon.

First blood went to Elon in the opening inning when Carleigh Nester hit her 11th home run of the season to give the Phoenix their first lead of the series.

The Eagles had an immediate answer, scoring a first-inning run of their own. An Emily Snider sacrifice bunt moved Taylor Rogers to third. The freshman did not break stride and sailed in for the Eagles' opening run

Rogers opened the third with a leadoff single and worked her way to second with a stolen base and a ground out. Thomas picked up the RBI with a fielder's choice to second base. The Elon fielder threw the ball to get Rogers at the plate, but the throw was no match for the speedy Eagle designated player. That run gave the Eagles their first lead of the day. Georgia Southern added two more runs later in the frame off a Kaitlyn Johnson double to right. Those runs made it a 4-1 game.

Georgia Southern tacked on four more runs in the fifth inning to flirt with the run-rule for the first time in league play. Johnson, AJ Hamilton and Rogers each drove in runs while the fourth run came in on a wild pitch. In the end, the Eagles came one-run short of the eight-run threshold, but posted a 8-1 advantage through five.

The Eagles got the magic run in the sixth inning. Two walks early in the inning helped load the bases and an RBI single by Lexi Allen ended the contest and handed the Eagles their fifth win in league play.

Sarah Purvis went four innings on her 22nd birthday to pick up the victory with seven strikeouts and the one run in the first inning. Purvis improved to 11-4 on the year with the win. Brooke Red pitched the final two innings and earned the first save for an Eagle pitcher this season. She fanned five in two innings of work and did not allow a run down the stretch.

Georgia Southern travels to Georgia for a midweek contest on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.

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, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA.