Box Score STATESBORO, Ga. –  Georgia Southern opened the Sun Belt Era with a three-game sweep at the hands of Texas State, dropping the Sunday finale 5-3 following a late offensive flurry.
Breanna McLendon's seventh home run was the first of three runs in the seventh that nearly changed the day's result.
"It was a tough first series, obviously a step up in competition from the SoCon," said Head Coach
Annie Smith. "We're learning that we can't get away with mistakes in this league like we have before. I think we adjusted well in the last inning today. What it comes down to is we just lost a few big innings here and there, we've got to focus on winning one inning and a time, and things will work themselves out."
Texas State got three runs in the first inning with the help of a throwing error by pitcher
Brooke Red. The senior hurler settled down and stymied the Bobcat hitters over the next five innings, tallying five strikeouts. She, however, allowed nine walks and was chased from the game in the sixth in the midst of a bases loaded jam.
Marla Thompson came on in relief and allowed an RBI single which plated two more runs. Thompson recovered and shut down the Texas State hitters over the next 1.2 innings, allowing no further hits.
McLendon's solo home run in the seventh got the Eagles on the board and sparked a late rally.
Kaitlyn Johnson came in and pinch hit for her first at bat of the season, lacing a single through the left side before a
Taylor Rogers put runners on first and second for pinch hitter
Rowan McGuire. The freshman hit a slicing double off the wall in center and plated two more runs. Back-to-back outs with the tying run at the plate ended the game as the Eagles fell to 0-3 in Sun Belt play.
The Eagles have a non-conference doubleheader set for Thursday afternoon in Charleston before embarking on a spring break road trip. The Eagles face UL Lafayette, Texas, and Texas Arlington on the road swing.
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