Wednesday, May 6
Lafayette, LA
5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. CT
Georgia Southern University
vs
Coastal Carolina
PREVIEW: Georgia Southern Faces Coastal Carolina in SBC First Round
5/6/2026 8:00:00 AM | Softball
LAFAYETTE, LA. – The No. 7 seed Georgia Southern Eagles (24-28, 11-13 SBC) open play in the 2026 Sun Belt Conference Softball Championship with a first-round matchup against No. 10 seed Coastal Carolina (24-30, 8-16 SBC), with first pitch set for 5 p.m. ET. Hosted by the Ragin' Cajuns, the tournament provides a fresh start for both teams as they look to make a postseason run.
The matchup features two familiar conference opponents who met earlier this season, adding another layer of intensity to an already even series history.
Important Links
Watch
Live Stats
Game Notes
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Series History
The all-time series between the two programs is tied 22-22. Coastal Carolina earned a 4-0 win on April 6, 2025, but Georgia Southern claimed the most recent meeting with a 10-2 victory on March 28, 2026, completing a series sweep over the Chanticleers earlier this season – marking the Eagles' first conference series win of the year.
Scouting the Eagles
Georgia Southern enters the tournament hitting .272 as a team with 364 hits and 193 RBI this season.
Senior Emma Davis leads the Eagles with a standout .387 average, 58 hits, and 35 RBI, while Kayla Christensen adds a .329 average with 55 hits and 37 runs scored.
Freshman Jaycee Bilbrey continues to provide consistency, batting .313 with 45 hits, while Delanie Thames anchors the lineup with 12 home runs and 45 RBI, posting a team-best .653 slugging percentage.
In the circle, Alana Barnard leads the staff with a 3.04 ERA, 126.2 innings pitched, and 11 complete games, while Bailey Holland has added nine wins and over 110 innings, giving the Eagles experience and depth in tournament play.
Scouting the Chanticleers
Coastal Carolina enters the tournament featuring a powerful offense that has produced 80 home runs and 265 RBI while hitting .281 as a team.
Georgia Hood leads the way with a dominant .344 average, 21 home runs, and 59 RBI, while Delaney Keith adds a .333 average, 12 home runs, and 32 RBI. Kaelin Cash contributes additional power with 14 home runs and 34 RBI, giving Coastal multiple long-ball threats throughout the lineup.
In the circle, Coastal Carolina has posted a 6.07 team ERA, with Abby Henderson leading the staff with 125.0 innings pitched, while Kate Ryan adds experience and versatility in the rotation.
With both teams looking to extend their season, the matchup sets up as a competitive opening-round battle in the Sun Belt Tournament.
The matchup features two familiar conference opponents who met earlier this season, adding another layer of intensity to an already even series history.
Important Links
Watch
Live Stats
Game Notes
Twitter/X
Series History
The all-time series between the two programs is tied 22-22. Coastal Carolina earned a 4-0 win on April 6, 2025, but Georgia Southern claimed the most recent meeting with a 10-2 victory on March 28, 2026, completing a series sweep over the Chanticleers earlier this season – marking the Eagles' first conference series win of the year.
Scouting the Eagles
Georgia Southern enters the tournament hitting .272 as a team with 364 hits and 193 RBI this season.
Senior Emma Davis leads the Eagles with a standout .387 average, 58 hits, and 35 RBI, while Kayla Christensen adds a .329 average with 55 hits and 37 runs scored.
Freshman Jaycee Bilbrey continues to provide consistency, batting .313 with 45 hits, while Delanie Thames anchors the lineup with 12 home runs and 45 RBI, posting a team-best .653 slugging percentage.
In the circle, Alana Barnard leads the staff with a 3.04 ERA, 126.2 innings pitched, and 11 complete games, while Bailey Holland has added nine wins and over 110 innings, giving the Eagles experience and depth in tournament play.
Scouting the Chanticleers
Coastal Carolina enters the tournament featuring a powerful offense that has produced 80 home runs and 265 RBI while hitting .281 as a team.
Georgia Hood leads the way with a dominant .344 average, 21 home runs, and 59 RBI, while Delaney Keith adds a .333 average, 12 home runs, and 32 RBI. Kaelin Cash contributes additional power with 14 home runs and 34 RBI, giving Coastal multiple long-ball threats throughout the lineup.
In the circle, Coastal Carolina has posted a 6.07 team ERA, with Abby Henderson leading the staff with 125.0 innings pitched, while Kate Ryan adds experience and versatility in the rotation.
With both teams looking to extend their season, the matchup sets up as a competitive opening-round battle in the Sun Belt Tournament.
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
INF
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