Eagles Start Strong with Pair of Wins on Opening Day
2/6/2026 10:25:00 PM | Softball
STATESBORO – The Georgia Southern softball team opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion, starting 2-0 on Thursday with a comeback win over UNC Greensboro (0-2) and a dominant victory against Eastern Illinois (0-2) at Eagle Field as part of the Bash in the Boro Tournament.
vs. UNC Greensboro
The Eagles rallied from an early deficit to defeat UNC Greensboro, 7-5, in the tournament opener.
UNC Greensboro jumped out to a fast start, scoring three runs across the first two innings before adding two more in the third to take a 5-1 lead. Georgia Southern responded with a run in the bottom of the third and continued to apply pressure in the fourth as the Eagles began to chip away.
Georgia Southern's offense broke through in the fifth inning with a three-run frame to even the score. Delanie Thames delivered one of the game's biggest swings, launching a home run to spark the comeback and shift momentum in favor of the Eagles.
The Eagles totaled seven runs on 11 hits with six RBI, producing quality at-bats throughout the lineup and capitalizing on key scoring opportunities while forcing the Spartans' pitching staff to work out of trouble.
In the circle, Georgia Southern's pitching staff settled in after the early innings. After allowing five runs through the first three frames, the Eagles held the Spartans scoreless over the final three innings.
The bullpen duo of freshman Shaylin Stringer and Bailey Holland proved pivotal, combining to face 16 batters while allowing just two hits and no runs across four innings of work.
Stringer earned her first collegiate win, while Holland picked up the save as the Eagles stranded multiple runners down the stretch to secure the comeback victory – setting the tone for the remainder of the day.
vs. Eastern Illinois
Following the comeback victory, Georgia Southern returned to action against Eastern Illinois and delivered a decisive 12-4 run-rule win in six innings.
After a scoreless first three innings, the Eagles broke through in the fourth with two runs and added three more in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead. Georgia Southern's offensive momentum carried into the sixth inning, where the Eagles erupted for seven runs to put the game out of reach.
Georgia Southern finished with 12 hits and drew five walks in a balanced offensive effort.
Thames provided another highlight, blasting a three-run home run over the center field wall in the sixth. Payton Cushman also went deep in the inning, driving in an insurance run to help seal the victory.
In the circle, Holland delivered a strong start, working 5.2 innings while allowing no earned runs and striking out six batters. Stringer closed out the game efficiently, recording a strikeout to retire the final batter and earn the first save of her collegiate career after picking up her first win earlier in the day.
With the sweep, Georgia Southern improved to 2-0 on the season, showcasing both offensive firepower and pitching depth. The Eagles continue tournament play on Saturday, Feb. 7, facing Western Kentucky (2-0) at 12:30 p.m. followed by Eastern Illinois at 3 p.m. ET.
vs. UNC Greensboro
The Eagles rallied from an early deficit to defeat UNC Greensboro, 7-5, in the tournament opener.
UNC Greensboro jumped out to a fast start, scoring three runs across the first two innings before adding two more in the third to take a 5-1 lead. Georgia Southern responded with a run in the bottom of the third and continued to apply pressure in the fourth as the Eagles began to chip away.
Georgia Southern's offense broke through in the fifth inning with a three-run frame to even the score. Delanie Thames delivered one of the game's biggest swings, launching a home run to spark the comeback and shift momentum in favor of the Eagles.
The Eagles totaled seven runs on 11 hits with six RBI, producing quality at-bats throughout the lineup and capitalizing on key scoring opportunities while forcing the Spartans' pitching staff to work out of trouble.
In the circle, Georgia Southern's pitching staff settled in after the early innings. After allowing five runs through the first three frames, the Eagles held the Spartans scoreless over the final three innings.
The bullpen duo of freshman Shaylin Stringer and Bailey Holland proved pivotal, combining to face 16 batters while allowing just two hits and no runs across four innings of work.
Stringer earned her first collegiate win, while Holland picked up the save as the Eagles stranded multiple runners down the stretch to secure the comeback victory – setting the tone for the remainder of the day.
vs. Eastern Illinois
Following the comeback victory, Georgia Southern returned to action against Eastern Illinois and delivered a decisive 12-4 run-rule win in six innings.
After a scoreless first three innings, the Eagles broke through in the fourth with two runs and added three more in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead. Georgia Southern's offensive momentum carried into the sixth inning, where the Eagles erupted for seven runs to put the game out of reach.
Georgia Southern finished with 12 hits and drew five walks in a balanced offensive effort.
Thames provided another highlight, blasting a three-run home run over the center field wall in the sixth. Payton Cushman also went deep in the inning, driving in an insurance run to help seal the victory.
In the circle, Holland delivered a strong start, working 5.2 innings while allowing no earned runs and striking out six batters. Stringer closed out the game efficiently, recording a strikeout to retire the final batter and earn the first save of her collegiate career after picking up her first win earlier in the day.
With the sweep, Georgia Southern improved to 2-0 on the season, showcasing both offensive firepower and pitching depth. The Eagles continue tournament play on Saturday, Feb. 7, facing Western Kentucky (2-0) at 12:30 p.m. followed by Eastern Illinois at 3 p.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
INF/OF
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RHP
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LHP
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INF
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