The Georgia Southern softball team opened their season hosting a three day tournament on Eagle Field, Bash in the Boro. GS came out 4-2 with high hopes for the rest of the season.

In the first game of the weekend, GS took on University of Tennessee Martin. The game seemed to move pretty seamlessly with GS holding the lead the entire game. A walk from Shayla Smith, with bases loaded, put the Eagles up 1-0 in the second inning, followed by runs from senior infielder Hannah Farrell, junior outfielder Shelby Wilson, and senior shortstop Macy Coleman. Sophomore pitcher Rylee Waldrep pitched for six innings with minimal errors. GS defeated the SkyHawks 6-4.

After this win, GS took down Saint Francis 6-5. Senior Kaylee Ramos had a bit of a rough start pitching, and was eventually replaced by freshman Jess Mazur in the third inning. Both Farrell and Coleman hit a homerun each, and junior outfielder Mekhia Freeman tallied three runs.

Saturday afternoon, GS fell to Saint Francis in a three hour long match due to two bouts of on -field lighting issues and a rule dispute. Saint Francis put up three runs in the first inning and GS never caught up. Freeman scored the only GS run of the match, off of a double hit from Wilson. GS lost 10-1.

The second game of the night was against Winthrop University. The Winthrop Eagles took an early lead, scoring five runs in the second inning. GS tied the game behind dynamic plays from Farrell and Freeman after freshman first baseman Faith Shirley’s home run gave the team a boost in morale, and thinning the deficit 10-7 at the top of the fourth. Winthrop quickly took the lead again in the fourth inning, and their freshman pitcher Bella Roy struck struck out almost every GS batter for the rest of the game. The final score was 10-7.

Sunday morning, GS took on UT Martin once again. GS set the tone early on with three runs in the first inning. By the end of the third inning, GS led 6-0. Though the SkyHawks had a campaign to come back in the fifth inning, the win was solidified with Morton’s strong pitching.

In the last game of the tournament, GS defeated Savannah State 4-1. The first hit from sophomore catcher Allyssah Mullis sparked the fire as GS went on to score three more runs in three innings. Waldrep pitch flawlessly only allowing the Tigers three hits in seven innings.

With a hopeful 4-2 record, GS will travel to Macon on Wednesday to compete with the Mercer Bears at 5 p.m.

Amanda Arnold, The George-Anne Sports Reporter, gasports@georgiasouthern.edu