FORT MYERS, Fla. —Just one day removed from the first perfect game in program history, the Eagles came just three outs away from the biggest upset in program history, taking No. 1 Alabama to nine innings before falling 2-1 in the second game of Saturday afternoon.
    In the morning contest, GSU dropped a 10-1 decision to Southern Illinois.
    “That was just a great game,” said GSU coach Annie Smith. “To play that well against the best team in the country is something we can build on as a team. We did things well defensively, threw a runner out at the plate, made some great catches and got another great pitching performance from Sarah Purvis. We didn’t play that well in the first game, but we came back and had a great game against Alabama and that makes me proud of this team.”

GSU 1, No. 1 Alabama 2 (9 Inn.) 
    In a game that was circled from the day the schedule was released, Georgia Southern gave the defending national champion all it could handle on Saturday afternoon. With ace Sarah Purvis in the circle, GSU held the top-ranked team scoreless for the first eight innings of play, surviving an inning of international tiebreaker play.
    GSU had a scare in the bottom of the eighth inning as the tiebreaker runner reached third base on a bunt and the Crimson Tide attempted a sacrifice fly. Alexa Lewis caught the fly ball for the out and gunned the ball home where A.J. Hamilton administered the tag, keeping the scores level at 0-0.
    The Eagles were first to strike, plating a run off an error in the ninth inning. Lewis crossed the plate to give GSU a 1-0 lead thanks to a throwing error. Lexi Allen dropped a bunt single, advancing Lewis on the play, but an errant throw by the Crimson Tide backstop allowed the senior to score easily from third base. Three-straight strikeouts, however, stranded another run in scoring position.
    In the bottom of the frame GSU issued walks to load the bases, paving the way for Danae Hays to deliver a game-winning double, allowing Alabama to escape with the 2-1 win.
    Sarah Purvis had a stellar game, holding Alabama to seven hits overall and off the scoreboard for eight innings. She falls to 4-1 on the season in 8+ innings of work on the day with three strikeouts.
    Georgia Southern puts a bow on the FGCU Tournament on Sunday afternoon, facing the hosts on Sunday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m. in Fort Myers.

Southern Illinois 10, GSU 1
    Georgia Southern opened the second day of the FGCU/LaQuinta Inn at the Airport Tournament by drawing first blood in the first inning.
    After a two-out double by Tabby Douberley, Kourtny Thomas tallied her eighth RBI of the season with a single to plate Douberley and give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
    Southern Illinois, a day removed from being stymied by the Eagles in Sarah Purvis’ perfect game, exploded for 10-straight runs down the stretch to best the Eagles 10-1.