STATESBORO - Behind big bats and strong arms, the Georgia Southern softball team rolled to a pair of wins Saturday night at Eagle Field on the second day of the Bash in the Boro. In the first game, the Eagles downed ETSU 9-3 and then blew past Rutgers in the nightcap, 9-1 in five innings.

GAME 1: GS 9, ETSU 3
A pair of big innings sparked the way as the Eagles put up five runs in the first inning, two more in the third inning and two more in the fourth to out the game away early.

GS Scoring Plays
• B1: Bailee Wilson tripled to right field to drive in Faith Shirley and Ashlynn Gunter (GS, 2-0)
• B1: Alia Booth singled through the right side to plate Wilson (GS, 3-0)
• B1: Shayla Smith doubled to left center, allowing Booth to score (GS, 4-0)
• B1: Olivia Creamer grounded into double play, but Mullis scored (GS, 5-0)
• B3: Alia Booth homered to center field for a two-run shot (GS, 7-1)
• B4: Mekhia Freeman homered to center field for a two-run shot (GS, 9-1)

At the plate, the Eagles pounded out 12 hits, led by two apiece from Freeman, Wilson, Booth and Smith to lead the way while Shirley, Allyssah Mullis, Creamer and Ellington Day all had one.

In the circle, Ashleigh Morton (W, 1-0) went four innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits with two strikeouts. Jess Mazur (1.0 IP) and Rylee Waldrep (2.0 IP) finished off the game for the Eagles.

GAME 2: GS 9, RUTGERS 1 (5 inn.)
Freshman Aaliyah Garcia was superb in her college debut and got several clutch hits from her offense to pick up the second win of the day for the squad.

GS Scoring Plays
• B1: Freeman reached on a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt, allowing Gunter to score (GS, 1-0)
• B1: Shirley doubled down the right field line, plating Freeman (GS, 2-0)
• B1: Smith singled to right field, driving in Shirley scored (GS, 3-0)
• B2: Gunter's RBI ground out scored Day (GS, 4-0)
• B4: Freeman scored on a failed pickoff attempt (GS, 5-0)
• B5: Mullis homered to center field (GS, 6-1)

Garcia (W, 1-0) went the distance, allowing just one run on three hits with five strikeouts in her five innings of work.

At the plate, Gunter, Mullis, Smith and Day all had two hits to lead the way while Freeman and Shirley both had one hit.

"I always impressed watching this team play, putting together all of the things we've been practicing," said head coach Kim Dean. "We got outstanding performances from everybody today and I'm just really excited watching them and I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

UP NEXT: The Eagles (3-0) will be back in action on Sunday, wrapping up the weekend with an 11:30 a.m. game against Army West Point (3-1).