STATESBORO – The Georgia Southern softball team is set to host Maryland and Rider in the Hail Southern Classic at Beautiful Eagle Field Friday through Sunday. The tournament marks the last tournament of the season, as the Eagles head into conference play next weekend. 

Here is the full schedule for the weekend. All Georgia Southern games are scheduled to be streamed on ESPN+ and you can follow along with live stats at GSEagles.com/SBStats. 

MADDIE MADE

•  Maddie Johnson tossed Georgia Southern's first no-hitter since the 2017 against George Mason as the Eagles won 3-0 at the Charge On Classic. She tossed Georgia Southern's first no-hitter since the 2017 season and 19th all-time. 
• Johnson picked up a career high 11 strikeouts in the contest including eight of the nine batters in the Patriot lineup and did not walk a single batter.
• The freshman won Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week for her performance over the weekend. Johnson went 3-0 on the weekend In her second victory of the weekend, Johnson allowed just two runs on two hits in the first inning before shutting out the Friars the rest of the way and only allowed three more hits in the final five frames. In the finale, Johnson was once again stellar in the circle, this time against UCF where she allowed one run on six hits in 6.2 innings pitched. 
• Johnson and the Eagles picked up their second win over a power four school and now moves to 7-2 on the season. 

LAST TIME OUT

• The Eagles went 3-2 on the weekend picking up wins over George Mason, Providence, and UCF at the UCF Charge On Classic on UCF Softball Complex. The Eagles split both Friday and Saturday before picking up its third win against UCF on Sunday. 
• On the weekend, Payton Cushman led the offense going 7-for-18 over the weekend including two doubles and three RBI. Cushman drew a career high five at-bats and three runs batted in against George Mason on Saturday. The freshman tied her career high with three hits against George Mason and two runs scored against Providence. 

SETTING THE TONE

• Since taking over leadoff duties, Christensen hit .235 including two doubles, three RBI, and five runs scored  last weekend 

BIG TIME WINS 

• Georgia Southern now has two wins over power four schools this season with wins over Big Ten powerhouse Michigan and Big XII opponent, UCF. 

WHERE WE STAND

• Georgia Southern holds the second best ERA in the Sun Belt with a combined ERA of 2.67 just behind Texas State.   
• The Eagles are tied for the second-best fielding percentage (.971). 
• Valerie Combs leads the conference with eight doubles
• Delanie Thames has drawn the second-most hit by pitches (7)
• Maddie Johnson sits third in ERA (1.76), second in innings pitched (59.2), sixth in strikeouts (49), and second in wins (7). 

Next Up 
The Eagles are scheduled to play on the road at #14 Georgia on Wednesday, March 12 at Jack Turner Softball Stadium. The game is slated for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network+.