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.
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The matchup features two familiar conference opponents who met earlier this season, adding another layer of intensity to an already even series history.
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Important Links
Watch
Live Stats
Game Notes
Twitter/X
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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.
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Scouting the Eagles
Georgia Southern enters the tournament hitting .272 as a team with 364 hits and 193 RBI this season.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Â
With both teams looking to extend their season, the matchup sets up as a competitive opening-round battle in the Sun Belt Tournament.
Â
The matchup features two familiar conference opponents who met earlier this season, adding another layer of intensity to an already even series history.
Â
Important Links
Watch
Live Stats
Game Notes
Twitter/X
Â
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.
Â
Scouting the Eagles
Georgia Southern enters the tournament hitting .272 as a team with 364 hits and 193 RBI this season.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
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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