LAFAYETTE, La. - Hannah Farrell's two-out double snapped a 2-2 tie in the top of the eighth inning to propel Georgia Southern softball to the first road win over a nationally-ranked team in program history, earning a Sun Belt Conference split with No. 22 Louisiana with a game-two 3-2 victory in Lafaytte, La. The Ragin' Cajuns took game one, 2-0.

The Eagles (24-21, 8-12 SBC) were 0-59 in road games at nationally-ranked opponents before the game-two win over the Ragin' Cajuns (30-12, 15-5 SBC). Georgia Southern will now try to make it two in a row, and go for the series win on Sunday in a Noon ET contest.

"Overall, it was a good day today for us," Georgia Southern Head Coach Kim Dean said. "In the first game, we were still in a position to pull out a win. Rylee [Waldrep] threw a great game, keeping us in it and holding down a great offensive team. Kierra [Camp] stepped up for us in game two, throwing another great game."

Game two started well for the Eagles as Shelby Wilson delivered a solo home run in the top of the first inning to put the visitors up by one. Louisiana quickly got two runs in the bottom of the first, on a two-out, two-run single by Lexie Comeaux.

The Eagles tied things up in the third inning as Alesha Mann - playing in her 200th career game for Georgia Southern - was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, advanced to third on a ground ball, then scored on a wild pitch to make the score 2-2.

"I'm excited about the way we got our second run," Coach Dean said. "Late in the season, moving into postseason, you have to find ways to manufacture runs. We got that one without necessarily getting a great hit. Alesha [Mann] getting on, Mekhia [Freeman] getting a good bunt down, Shelby [Wilson] moving the runner and Allyssah [Mullis] having a really great at-bat, laying off tough pitches and allowing the run to score from third on the wild pitch."

Neither team made a dent on the scoreboard through seven, and the Eagles helped that by turning two double plays behind starter Kierra Camp (12-8). In the top of the eighth inning, Mekhia Freeman led off the inning with a walk, advanced to second on a passed ball, then scored the go-ahead run on Farrell's double. 

In the bottom of the eighth, Louisiana put two on with one out, but Camp induced a double play ball to Farrell at third, and the 5-3 twin killing secured the win for the Eagles.

"We finally got that huge hit," Coach Dean said. "Then we went back out there in the eighth and shut it down. Overall, we're never looking for perfection. We're just looking for an all-out battle from our team. Late in the season, you want talent but you need a little luck. We finally got a couple of bounces to go our way today. I'm extremely proud."

Camp hurled eight innings in the win, scattering nine hits and giving up two unearned runs, walking four while striking out one. Reliever Casey Dixon (3-2) took the loss for the Ragin' Cajuns, giving up two hits and one unearned run in four innings, walking one while striking out two.

In game one, Louisiana starting pitcher Summer Ellyson (16-6) limited the Eagles to four hits in the 2-0 shutout win. The Ragin' Cajuns scored a single run in the second inning on a Jolie Readeaux infield RBI single, and a single run in the fifth inning on a bunt single by Brittany Rodriguez.

The Eagles' best chance to score in game one came in the sixth inning as Shelby Wilson walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a groundout. Ellyson stranded her there by inducing a groundout to end the inning.

Rylee Waldrep (10-9) took the loss for the Eagles in the circle, giving up six hits and two runs in six innings of work, walking one and striking out one.