The Georgia Southern University softball team will try to stake its claim on third place in the Southern Conference with a three-game road series against Western Carolina University this weekend.

GSU has dominated WCU with a 10-0 record in the last 10 meetings between the two teams.  WCU has not managed to beat the Eagles, but the last two contests were one-run games.

Last season the combination of sophomore pitcher Brooke Red and junior pitcher Sarah Purvis was too much for WCU, and this season the devastating duo will look to pick up where it left off.

Purvis pitched her way to a 5-1 victory, while Red posted consecutive 3-2 wins over the Spartans.

The Eagles are coming off a three-game sweep of Samford University, and the ladies sit deadlocked with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for third place in the SoCon.

Their SoCon records are identical, but GSU is currently riding a four-game hot streak while WCU has dropped two of its last three.

GSU is 5-3 when playing SoCon opponents on the road, but three solid games in North Carolina could have the Eagles nipping at the heels of SoCon leaders Appalachian State University and the College of Charleston.

GSU is in prime position to move up in the standings with no more out-of-conference games remaining on the schedule, but it would be a mistake for the team to look passed a Spartan squad well aware of the 10 straight losses it has suffered at the hands of the Eagles.

The Eagles’ pitching staff seems to be rounding into form just in time for the stretch run of games against their final three SoCon foes.

Junior pitcher Allie Miles surrendered the only two runs GSU has allowed in its last three games, but the runs came in a complete game 4-2 victory.

Purvis and Red both pitched shutouts the last time they stepped into the pitcher’s circle.

GSU could be battling for SoCon supremacy in the season finale against App. State if the team handles its business against WCU.

The pivotal series kicks off with a double header on Saturday starting at 1:00p.m.with the rubber match starting at the same time on Sunday.