Georgia Southern University
12-16, 1-3
Marshall
20-9, 3-1
Fast Start Fuels Marshall Past Georgia Southern
3/20/2026 9:15:00 PM | Softball
The Eagles struck first in the top of the opening frame. Kayla Christensen led off with a single up the middle and later stole second, setting the table for Delanie Thames, who lined an RBI single back through the middle to give Georgia Southern a 1-0 lead.
Marshall took advantage midway through the game, stringing together hits to break things open. A multi-run inning created separation, forcing Georgia Southern to play from behind the rest of the way.
Georgia Southern began to chip away in the fourth. Emma Davis led off with a double to left, and Valerie Combs followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 10-2.
In the fifth, Brooke Kell started the rally with a single, followed by another hit from Christensen and a walk by Jaycee Bilbrey to load the bases. Thames delivered again, driving a two-run double to left to make it 10-4.
Davis followed with an RBI single, and Combs added another RBI knock to bring Georgia Southern within 10-6, capping a four-run inning.
Despite the deficit, the Eagles continued to compete late. A push in the final innings brought some life back into the lineup, but Marshall's bullpen was able to shut the door and secure the win.
Georgia Southern threatened in the seventh, putting two runners on via a walk and another free pass, but a flyout turned double play in the outfield ended the rally and sealed the game for Marshall.
Georgia Southern will look to regroup and bounce back as the series continues on Saturday, March 21, at 3 p.m. ET.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Maddie Veal (6-2)
L: Barnard, Alana (3-8)
Batting:
2B: Thames, Delanie 1 ; Davis, Emma 1
RBI: Thames, Delanie 3 ; Davis, Emma 1 ; Combs, Valerie 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Christensen, Kayla 2 ; Bilbrey, Jaycee 1 ; Thames, Delanie 1 ; Davis, Emma 1 ; Kell, Brooke 1
SB: Christensen, Kayla 1
Batting:
2B: Abby Darnley 1
HR: Bella Gerlach 1 ; Sydni Burko 1 ; Ava Blake 1
RBI: Bella Gerlach 2 ; Sydni Burko 2 ; Ava Blake 2 ; Diamond Leslie 1 ; Paige Simpson 1 ; Abby Darnley 3
SH: Diamond Leslie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bella Gerlach 2 ; Sydni Burko 1 ; Chandler Hoskins 1 ; Makayla Taylor 1 ; Ava Blake 2 ; Haleigh Adkins 1 ; Diamond Leslie 1 ; Paige Simpson 1 ; Abby Darnley 1
CS: Ava Blake 1 ; Diamond Leslie 1
HBP: Bella Gerlach 1
