TROY, Ala. – Georgia Southern outlasted Troy, 8-4, to claim its fifth conference series of the season on Sunday afternoon at Troy Softball Complex.
The two squads would trade punches through the first three innings of play before Georgia Southern doubled its lead in the fifth to take the lead for good. The Eagles would score in the first and second innings before scoring again in the final three.
Georgia Southern (27-16, 11-4 SBC) jumped out in front in the opening frame, plating a pair of runs on an RBI bases loaded walk and wild pitch. Valerie Combs tallied an infield single before Faith Baith drew a walk and Delanie Thames was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Gracie Bellard drew an RBI walk before Barth scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0.
Troy (27-19, 6-9 SBC) responded in the bottom half of the inning to even the score on a solo home run and an Eagle miscue but the Eagles answered right back to retake the lead as Barth drove in Brooke Kell who led off the inning with a bunt single.
The Trojans answered once again with its second solo shot of the game to even the score. However, the Eagles doubled its lead in the fifth scoring three runs on three hits. Thames led off the inning with a six-pitch walk before scoring on a Bellard RBI double to right center. Bellard would then score on Semira Tigg's second career RBI before Tigg scored on a wild pitch to make it 6-4.
Pinch runner Makayla Brantley would extend the Eagles lead back out to three, 7-4, scoring on an RBI fielder's choice. The last run would come via Combs RBI double down the left field line to make the final, 8-4.
Alana Barnard (5-1) picked up her fifth win of the season tossing four complete innings allowing three runs on four hits and fanned two Trojan batters. Maddie Johnson (2) earned her second career save in the circle tossing the final three innings allowing one run on three hits and struck out three.
Five Eagles posted multi-hit performances including Davis, Combs, Barth, Bellard, and Kell. Kell had a career day at the plate going 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
Next Up
Georgia Southern is scheduled for its final midweek match up of the season hosting Mercer at Beautiful Eagle Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
