Statesboro, Ga. --- The Georgia Southern Eagles (15-9, 3-3 SBC) defeated North Florida (15-10, 4-2 A-SUN) 11-1 in run-rule fashion on Wednesday evening (March 26th).
In the home half of the first, a leadoff single by
Josh Tate would eventually put him at third with just one away before
Sean Smith would get back in the hits column and deliver an RBI-single through the left side to put the Eagles on the board and take the lead for good. Their biggest inning would come in the third when a leadoff single by
Sean White and
Daniel Haab getting beamed by a pitch would see
Cade Parker step in the box. On a 1-0 count, the shortstop would laser a ball down the left field line, just hooking fair for a three-run homer. Another run off an Osprey error would put the advantage at 5-0.
Despite six pitchers on the mound for Southern to gain experience, the staff would only give up a singular run in the fourth after a leadoff walk issued, followed by back-to-back single by UNF. However, after the run,
Will Robbins would step in and force a double play with two batters on and escape unharmed. Robbins would pick up his second win of the season, going 2.1 innings without allowing a hit while also punching out three.
Two more would be tacked on in the fourth for the Eagles after a leadoff triple by
Daniel Haab, his third in four games, would see him score after another Osprey error. With two eagles aboard,
Luke Odden would capitalize with a centerfield single to put it at a 7-1 contest before
Sean Smith would collect another RBI-single just one inning later. After two straight strikeouts in the seventh, a walk and hit batter would set up
Josh Tate for a two-RBI double to right center to clear the bases. Up next,
Nico Senese would walk it off again by singling to centerfield to end the ball game early.
The Eagles would go for 14 hits on the night, including a 3-6 game for Tate and 3 RBIs. Other star performers came in the form of Smith, going 2-4 and 2 RBIs,
Cade Parker's 3 RBIs, and a 2-2 night for
Luke Odden. Including Robbins,
Carter DeGondea had a stellar night on the mound, going 1.1 innings without allowing a hit. Starter
Evan Vandenbosch would also stand out, going 2.0 innings, only giving up one Osprey hit, and two strikeouts.
Next, the Eagles hit the road for a Sun Belt series in Atlanta to take on Georgia State. First pitch Friday night is set for 6 PM against the Panthers with the winner of the series setting themselves up for success in front of the other heading into April.
