STATESBORO – Sophomore
Delanie Thames' two-run walk off home run lifted the Eagles past Campbell, 5-3, in game one and the Eagles rolled past Fairfield, 7-1 in game two to open the GATA Challenge with a pair of victories on Friday at Beautiful Eagle Field.
Delanie Thames and
Faith Barth led the Eagles on day one of the GATA Challenge. The two combined to drive in nine of the 12 runs scored on the day. Thames went 3-for-8 with two runs batted in and two runs scored and Barth went 4-for-6 with six runs batted in and three runs scored.
Game One (Georgia Southern 5, Campbell 3)
Georgia Southern opened the scoring the bottom of the first as
Emma Davis led off with a double to left field before
Payton Cushman recorded an RBI single to make it 1-0.
Three straight singles would load the bases for Barth to record a two-RBI single to make it 3-0 after three. The Camels would even the score in the top of the fifth scoring three runs on two hits.
In the bottom of the seventh Barth recorded her second hit of the game to put the game winning run on for the Eagles. The next at-bat, Thames launched her second home run of the season to walk off the Camels in the bottom of the seventh, 5-3.
Offensively, the Eagles combined for 12 hits in the contest as five Eagles recorded multi-hit performances. Seven of the nine batters recorded hits in the contest. Barth and Thames tallied two runs batted in each.
Morgan Kendrick (1-2) earned her first victory of the season after coming in relief in the sixth. The redshirt junior quieted the Camel bats allowing just one hit over two innings. Starter
Bailey Holland allowed just three runs on six hits and picked up three strikeouts.
Game Two (Georgia Southern 7, Fairfield 1)
Fairfield struck first in the opening frame to take an early 1-0 lead. After a leadoff single to start the game, an RBI double plated the Stags lone run.
The Eagles responded in the bottom of the second with two runs to take the lead for good.
Madi Gillespie led off the frame with a five-pitch walk before Barth singled up the middle to put runners on.
Kayla Christensen would load the bases on a single up the middle before a Fairfield error at the plate evened the score.
Emma Davis then drew an bases loaded walk to take the lead, 2-1.
Georgia Southern would go on to score in three of its final four innings to make the final 7-1. Cushman would score on a passed ball in the third for the Eagles lone run in the third. In the fourth, Barth recorded her first RBI of the contest on a bases loaded walk to extend the lead.
Barth continued to stay hot with her first home run of the season, a three-run shot to right center field, in the sixth. The senior tallied four runs batted in to tie her career high for the fifth time.
Maddie Johnson (3-2) picked up her third win of the season tossing six complete innings allowing just one run and scattering seven hits. The freshman picked up a career high seven strikeouts in the contest.
Three Eagles picked up multi-hit performances as Barth and Christensen recorded two hits and Cushman went 3-for-4 at the dish.
The Eagles picked up its third consecutive game with double-digit hits.
Next Up
Georgia Southern is back in action for day two of the GATA Challenge against Oakland at 12:30 p.m. and Campbell at 3 p.m. at Beautiful Eagle Field. The two games are scheduled to be broadcasted on ESPN+
