MACON — Georgia Southern's softball team finished its six-day road swing on a winning note with a 5-2 victory against Mercer in the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader at Sikes Field.
    Mercer rallied for a 3-2 win in the opener, and led early in game two before the Eagles rattled off five unanswered runs.
    GSU improved to 14-9, while Mercer fell to 12-13.
    “We played well in both games, but the bats came alive late,” GSU head coach Annie Smith said. “Brooke Red tossed a great game in relief to help us win the second game. Our defense was good today, and we are excited for this weekend’s series with Western Carolina.”
   
    Game 1
    The Eagles got on the board in the first inning as a double from Andrea Tarashuk scored Marie Fogle from second base. The run was the Eagles’ 11th run in the first inning this season and gave GSU a 1-0 lead.
    GSU's Sarah Purvis took a no-hitter through 4 2/3 innings, but saw it broken up in the fifth by a swinging bunt that Mercer’s Krista Kennedy was able to leg out for a single.
    Fogle opened the sixth inning with a leadoff home run to centerfield, her third this season. Fogle moved into to sole possession of fourth place on GSU's career home runs list with 21 homers.
    Mercer ended Purvis’ shutout bid in the sixth with a two-run double from Kristin Marko. The hit tied the game at 2. She would get an out, but a walk ended her afternoon after 5 1/3 innings and six strikeouts.
    Mercer’s Sara Stukes laced a single to right to score the Bears’ third run of the game, giving the home team a 3-2 lead going into the top of the seventh.
    The 3-2 defeat gave Purvis the loss, dropping her to 7-4.
   
    Game 2
    Fogle opened game with her fourth hit in as many at- bats with two outs in the first. She stole second base to get into scoring position for cleanup hitter Mackenzie Williams. Williams walked, but both runners were stranded.
    The Bears scored for a 2-0 lead in the second inning.
    The Eagles got back on level terms in the top of the fourth inning with a pair of runs. A pair of walks put runners on first and second. Senior Jorie Walker laced a single through the left side to score pinch runner Brianna McLendon. A throwing error by the catcher on the same play allowed Tabby Douberly to tie the game at 2.
    Sophomore Kourtny Thomas gave the Eagles their first lead of the second game an inning later with a two-run homer over the scoreboard in left field. It was her fifth homer this season.
    GSU scored in the top of the sixth with an RBI single by Williams that plated Alexa Lewis for a 5-2 lead.
    Freshman Brooke Red (5-0) pitched 5 2/3 innings of relief. She didn’t allow a hit while striking out seven and walking one.
    GSU will play Western Carolina at 1 p.m. Saturday in a doubleheader at Eagle Field.