The Eagles were looking to seal another conference series win against number one in Sun Belt play Texas State, but fell short all three games of the series.

Game One- GS 1, TSU 6

The Eagles fell in a quick game one due to preseason league Pitcher of the Year Randi Rupp who only allowed one hit in all seven innings and impressively striking out 14 batters.

The lone hit from the Eagles during play was also their only run as freshman Allyssah Mullis was able to hit a solo home run during the fifth inning.

Freshman Rylee Waldrep started on the mound for the Eagles and struggled a bit against the Bobcats.

Waldrep gave up eight hits and six runs, four of which were earned, and struck out one batter during her six innings of play.

Jaclyn Molenaar led the scoring for the Bobcats, putting two runs on the board for TSU. Hailey MacKay followed close behind, with three hits and one run.

Game Two- GS 4, TSU 5

GS was looking to avenge their previous loss to the Bobcats and came out strong in game two, taking a 4-1 lead over TSU.

A pair of two-run home runs from Mullis (first inning) and one from junior Macy Coleman (third inning) put the Eagles on the board and in the lead until the sixth.

TSU scored twice in the fourth inning off a passed ball and an infield RBI single, making it a one-run game with the Eagles up 4-3. T

The Bobcats were then able to come back and claim the lead and the win in the sixth inning by scoring twice off a two-out, two-run single from Tara Oltmann.

Rupp did not start for the Bobcats this game but came in the seventh inning to secure the win for TSU.

Senior Kaylee Ramos took the mound for the Eagles for six innings, throwing eight hits and five runs, but striking out five batters.

Game Three- GS 0, TSU 3

The Bobcats were able to make a sweep out of the weekend as they notched another win over GS thanks to Rupp outpitching senior Kierra Camp in this game that very quickly turned into a battle of the pitchers.

Rupp came out on top and was able to seal the win for TSU, holding the Eagles to only four hits and no runs.

On top of that, Rupp was able to impressively strike out 15 batters during her shutout.

The game remained scoreless for the first three innings. It wasn’t until the fourth inning that the Bobcats were able to break the stalemate with an RBI ground out.

The Eagles became a threat following in the sixth inning, putting up two runners on bases from a pair of TSU errors, but Rupp eliminated that threat by striking out the final two batters.

The Bobcats added two more insurance runs in the sixth inning off an RBI single from Hailey MacKay and a two-run double from Ariel Ortiz.

Camp took the loss for the Eagles as she threw 12 hits and three runs but did strikeout four batters.

“Texas State is an outstanding team, led by Randi Rupp in the circle,” Georgia Southern Head Softball Coach Kim Dean told gseagles.com. “Our young ladies put ourselves in some positions to put runs on the board, but we came up short with timely hitting.”

Junior Hannah Farrell led the Eagles with a pair of hits, including a double. Also notching hits for the Eagles was senior Alesha Mann with one and sophomore Mekhia Freeman with one hit as well.

What’s Next?

The Eagles will be facing No. 9 South Carolina Wednesday, April 4 at 6 p.m.

The game, taking place in Columbia, SC, has a lot riding on it. Popular country artist and GS alumni Cole Swindell has made a friendly bet with fellow country singer Cody Alan who also happens to be a South Carolina alumni.

If the Eagles take the win, Cody Alan has to dress in GS gear and sing the GS fight song on air, while Swindell will have to do the same wearing gamecocks gear If South Carolina takes the win.

Kaitlin Sells, The George-Anne Sports Reporter, gasports@georgiasouthern.edu