Sixth Inning Dooms Eagles in 4-2 Loss to JMU

Eagles move to 12-10 in Sun Belt play

Box Score HARRISONBURG, Va. – Georgia Southern softball (28-23, 12-10 SBC) dropped its series opener against James Madison (24-24, 10-12 SBC), 6-1, on Thursday afternoon at Bank of the James Field.

Georgia Southern gave up four runs in the sixth inning to give James Madison the lead. The Eagles now move to 12-10 in Sun Belt conference play.

Faith Barth put the Eagles out in front in the first courtesy a solo shot to center field making it 1-0. The home run marks just the second of the season for the senior and fourth of her career. The Eagles have now scored in the first inning in 17 games this season.

James Madison took the lead in the bottom of the sixth scoring four runs on three hits. A trio of doubles pushed the Dukes out in front and an RBI groundout extended the lead. The Eagles looked to respond in the top of the seventh as pinch hitter Gracie Bellard doubled to left field to score pinch runner Makayla Brantley.

Alana Barnard (6-3) suffered the loss in the circle tossing five innings allowing four runs on four hits and Morgan Kendrick pitched an inning of relief.

Offensively, Barth went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Payton Cushman went 3-for-3 in the contest.

Next Up
Georgia Southern looks to even the series on Friday at Bank of the James Field. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. from Bank of the James Field and will be streamed on ESPN+.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#00 Alana Barnard: RHP; 5' 10"; Junior; R/R

#44 Faith Barth: INF; 5' 5"; Senior; L/R

#3 Gracie Bellard: C/UT; 5' 4"; Senior; L/R

#21 Makayla Brantley: OF; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R

#13 Morgan Kendrick: RHP; 5' 6"; Redshirt Junior; R/R

#19 Payton Cushman: INF/OF; 5' 8"; Freshman; L/L

Players Mentioned

#00 Alana Barnard
: 5' 10"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

#44 Faith Barth
: 5' 5"; Senior; L/R
: INF

#3 Gracie Bellard
: 5' 4"; Senior; L/R
: C/UT

#21 Makayla Brantley
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#13 Morgan Kendrick
: 5' 6"; Redshirt Junior; R/R
: RHP

#19 Payton Cushman
: 5' 8"; Freshman; L/L
: INF/OF