Statesboro, Ga. --- The Georgia Southern baseball team (20-14, 6-7 SBC) fell to the Old Dominion Monarchs (11-20, 6-7 SBC) 7-6 Friday evening in Statesboro (April 11th).

In the series opener at J.I. Clements Stadium, the Monarchs were the one to strike out the gate as a costly error by the Eagles would put runners on the corners in the first frame. A single right after would give the Monarchs the first lead of the series. With the offenses settling, Josh Tate would spark his offense, blasting a two-run homer to left-center after Luke Odden had a leadoff single in the third inning to take the lead back. 

In the fourth, Old Dominion would go for a huge four-hit inning that scored five runs to make it 6-2. This lead was one that they never looked back on and was capped off by a two-RBI bases-loaded single after a pitching change and intentionally walked batter.

Both offenses simmered for nearly the entire rest of the contest, as all pitchers took over the game from the fifth inning on. For the Eagles, Brady Pendley would dial in and only give up one run in his 5.2 innings of work. The junior continues to be the Eagles' top reliever choice, only giving up five hits and adding on six strikeouts as well on the night.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Eagles would cut the deficit to three as a bases-loaded opportunity came up for them. The one to deliver was Jonathan Jaime, as he sent a weak line drive into centerfield to score to and make it a 7-4 ball game. In their final chance of the game, Tate reached aboard with two outs on first before Nico Senese would thread the needle and launch a deep ball that just hugged to the right of the left field foul pole, cutting the game to just one. Unfortunately, Daniel Haab would reach first after an infield pop-up would drop, but was thrown out at second trying to steal a bag to end the game.

The Eagles drop back down to below .500 in Sun Belt play on the year, but look to take the series against the Monarchs across the weekend. Tomorrow's game two is set for 2 PM on a Bark at the Park afternoon at J.I. Clements Stadium.