The University of Alabama, the No. 6 softball team in the nation, was challenged by Georgia Southern University in a close 6-4 victory for the Crimson Tide.

The Eagles started out the game as the leader, from the first inning up until the fourth. The first earned run was a team effort from the Eagles, but they did benefit greatly from two passed balls by Alabama.

Although GSU started strong, the fourth inning led to a change of events that were not in the Eagles favor.

With no outs, Alabama had the bases loaded with a single and a pair of walks, which ultimately led to the Crimson Tide taking the lead. An RBI and a sacrifice fly made the score 2-1.

GSU made a statement when freshman infielder Morgan Robinson earned a solo home run with two outs in the sixth inning. But, that wasn’t enough when Alabama responded with a two-run home run from freshman infielder Marisa Runyon, giving them a 4-2 advantage.

The Eagles were not going to go down without a fight. In the last inning of the game, sophomore catcher A.J. Hamilton blasted a two-run homer tying the game 4-4. The two-run homer turned into a pattern when Alabama responded once again with a two-run home run that ended the game.

The score being 6-4, it’s apparent that the batters on both teams did their job and produced behind the plate, but that also means both of the pitchers didn’t. GSU senior pitcher Sarah Purvis only posted five strikeouts and Alabama pitcher Jaclyn Traina allowed a season-high nine hits.

The Eagles could not continue their day of playing against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill due to rain. But the Eagles will continue their non-conference road swing today facing off against the University of South Carolina at 6 p.m.