After losing five of their last 10 games the Georgia Southern University softball team (21-10, SoCon 5-1) has a chance to get back on the rails against No. 14 University of Georgia.

Senior Eagle pitcher Sarah Purvis has remained solid this season and will need to have a big game to keep the Bulldogs off the bases. Purvis has an ERA of 1.54 on the season with an 11-4 record, 126 strikeouts and a perfect game. Purvis will enter the game with plenty of experience against top opponents in her fifth game against a ranked team.

At the plate, UGA has one of the top lineups in the country. Second baseman Anna Swafford touts a .420 batting average across all 31 games with seven home runs. Junior second baseman Alex Hugo leads the Bulldogs in home runs with 13 and RBIs with 35. Eight batters in their lineup have averages over .300 and on base percentages of above .360.

The Bulldogs will most likely look to sophomore pitcher Chelsea Wilkinson to take the mound. Wilkinson has compiled a 1.32 ERA through her 16-2 record. While she hasn’t thrown a perfect game she has thrown two no-hitters earlier in the season. She has shared time with sophomore first baseman Geri Ann Glasco but is expected to get the nod against GSU.

Eagle senior shortstop Kourtny Thomas has been the solid bat for the team all season, starting in every game. With a .389 average, 11 home runs, and 35 RBIs, her team will need her to punch a hole in the excellent Bulldog defense. Senior Shelby Morrill and freshman Emily Snider are the only other position players to start in every game. The duo has combined for six home runs and 34 RBIs.

GSU is on a three-game win streak heading into its game against the Bulldogs. After a dip in performance over the break the team will get to step up and face another ranked opponent. This will be one of their last tests of the season with No. 7 University of Alabama as their next and final ranked opponent of the regular season.

The Eagles will take the field in Athens on Wednesday at 6 p.m.