STATESBORO - UL Monroe softball salvaged a game in its Sun Belt Conference-opening series with a 6-3 win over host Georgia Southern on Sunday afternoon at Eagle Field in Statesboro.

The Warhawks improved to 10-13 overall and 1-2 in the Sun Belt with the win, while Georgia Southern fell to 13-10 overall and 2-1 in the league. The Eagles return to action on Wednesday, visiting the College of Charleston for a 6 p.m. non-conference contest at Patriots Point.

ULM jumped out to a 3-0 lead by plating a run in the first on an Eagle throwing error, then getting an RBI single from Jayden Mount and an RBI double from Ana Hogan for a two-run third inning.

The Eagles tied things up in the bottom of the third thanks to Bailee Wilson's bases-loaded two-run single, and a sacrifice fly by Faith Shirley.

The Warhawks then took the lead back in the top of the fourth on an RBI double by Kennedy Page. ULM tacked on insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings, while Georgia Southern's best threat to retake the lead came in the bottom of the fifth when the Eagles had bases loaded, but a double play turned by ULM ended the threat.

Murphy Williams (5-2) notched the win for the Warhawks, hurling four innings of two-hit, three-run ball, walking five and striking out one. Jessie Watts earned her first save of the season with three innings of one-hit shutout ball, walking one while striking out one. Shelby Barfield (0-1) took the loss for Georgia Southern in her first appearance of the season in the circle, giving up three hits and two runs in three innings of work, walking one and striking out two.

Wilson's two hits and two RBI led the Eagles at the plate on the day. Page, Watts and Mount had two hits apiece for the Warhawks.

"Today is representative of what we need to expect from the Sun Belt," Georgia Southern Head Softball Coach Kim Dean said. "Every win in the league is tough, and it's extremely difficult to beat a team three times in a weekend. It shows what we need to accomplish in practice in order to execute more efficiently. ULM is a good team, and just like everybody else in the league, you've got to put together 21 strong innings in order to earn a sweep."