Statesboro, Ga. --- The Georgia Southern Eagles (21-14, 7-7 SBC) would use a late offensive spark to take down Old Dominion (11-21, 6-8 SBC) 5-4 on Saturday afternoon (April 12th).

Unlike yesterday, Georgia Southern would score first in their first opportunity at the plate, as back-to-back singles from Josh tate and Nico Senese to lead off the contest would put a runner in scoring position with no one gone. Two batters later, Sean White would scorch a single into the outfield where the speedy Tate would score easily to take a 1-0 advantage. 

However, like the Eagles did yesterday, the Monarchs would respond quickly. It wouldn't take long either, as a leadoff walk and failed pickoff attempt would eventually out runners on the corners with none retired. Although issuing a strikeout, a sac-fly would tie up the ball game. The Monarchs were not done yet though as a wild pitch followed by a double would add one more and see Old Dominion take the lead after two.

The Monarchs would add another in the fourth after a wild pitch with the bases loaded would advance all runners to give the Monarchs their largest lead of the afternoon at 3-1. Although walking the next batter to load them up again, Jacob Phillips for the Eagles would force a fly out and escape the inning. For Phillips, he would eventually get his fifth win of the season, the most of any Southern pitcher. Pitching 5.1 innings of relief, the senior would only allow one run, despite issuing a season high four walks. However, the Monarchs went ice cold against him, only collecting two hits and striking out five times against him. 

In the top of the sixth, the Monarchs left fielder would reach on one of four Eagles errors on the afternoon. On another failed pickoff attempt, he would try to advance all the way home on a ball that went into the outfield. But, a sharp play and throw from Daniel Haab in right would cut him short and give the Eagles some momentum to send them to dugout. Since their three-hit bottom of the first, the Eagles themselves were also cold, not having a hit of their own since then. That would finally change in the bottom of the sixth, as the freshman Jack Myers sliced one into right field to reach aboard. After his pinch runner would advance to second, JP Herrholz would turn on a pitch and single to right field to cut the deficit to just one. 

In the Eagles' seventh, the offense would finally click. A leadoff single from Tate, followed by a walk and a Monarch error would load the bases with none away. With the bases loaded, Sean White would have a patient at bat to walk in a run, tying the contest at three. With one away, Jonathan Jaime would have his most clutch hit of the season, timing up a ball that sailed into shallow center to score two, giving the Eagles a 5-3 lead. 

The final two innings would see Jax Lewis finish the game as the Saturday closer, rather than the starter. After shutting down the eighth and two quick outs in the ninth, the Moanrchs would give the crowd a scare late. A single and stolen base would put a runner in scoring position, who would score on a sharp single to right. With the tying run at third, Lewis would force a pop up to close out the game, giving the Eagles an 8-2 record in one-run games.

The Eagles would allow just six hits on the afternoon, including just three through the first seven innings. The rubber match is set for tomorrow afternoon at 1 PM for Masters Day at J.I. Clements Stadium.