CHARLESTON, S.C. - Freshman Aaliyah Garcia hurled a four-hitter, striking out 10, while Georgia Southern softball pounded out 10 hits in a 6-1 non-conference victory at the College of Charleston on Wednesday evening at Patriots Point in Charleston, S.C.

The Eagles improved to 14-10 overall on the season, while the College of Charleston falls to 10-10. Georgia Southern will next return to Sun Belt Conference play, opening up a weekend series at Troy on Friday at 5 p.m. ET. The game time has been moved up two hours from the previously scheduled 7 p.m. start time.

The College of Charleston struck first in the contest, getting an RBI single from Noel Dominguez to take a 1-0 lead. 

After that, however, it was all Eagles as Georgia Southern tied things up in the top of the second on a Shelby Barfield sacrifice fly, then took the lead with a three-run third inning thanks to an RBI double by Faith Shirley and RBI singles from Bailee Wilson and Janai Conklin.

Added insurance for the visitors came in the fifth and sixth innings on an RBI single by Ashlynn Gunter and an error by the Cougars that allowed Alisha House to score from third.

Garcia (5-4) settled down after the quick Cougar start to limit the College of Charleston to just four hits over seven innings, giving up one earned run and walking one while striking out 10. It was her second 10+ strikeout performance of the season. Chandler Sparkman (2-4) took the loss for the Cougars, giving up three hits and three runs in two-plus innings, walking two while striking out three.

Gunter and Barfield each had two hits to pace the Eagles, while Shirley's double was her Sun Belt Conference-leading 10th of the season.

"Overall, this was a really good team win," Georgia Southern Head Softball Coach Kim Dean said. "We take a lot of pride in traveling and winning these midweek games at tougher fields. I think that our hitters did a good job of making adjustments at the plate, and getting their starting pitcher out early in the game is one of our strategies and it just bodes well for us. We had good timely hits and several times where we hit the ball hard, right at people. Aaliyah Garcia gave us a good performance, she really demanded the zone, getting some swings and misses and also leaning on our defense. These midweek wins are a testament to the energy and commitment we have this season."