Georgia Southern third baseman Andrea Tarashuk and designated player Shelby Morrill each belted two-run home runs in the first game against Alabama State, and Florida International freshman pitcher Corrine Jenkins tossed a two-hit shutout in game two as the Eagles spilt two games in the opening day of the Eagle Classic at Eagle field Friday evening.
    Georgia Southern (8-8) defeated Alabama State 6-2 in the first game and fell 2-0 to FIU in the second contest.

GSU 6, Alabama State 2
    After Alabama State (1-11) cut a 4-0 deficit in half with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, Tarashuk delivered a two-run homer in the top of the seventh, and Allie Miles retired the side in order in the bottom of the frame to preserve the win.
    Miles struck out nine and allowed six hits and two runs in the complete-game victory. Tarashuk (right) was 3-for-3 with three RBIs in the contest, and Morrill went 2-for-4.
    The Eagles jumped on the scoreboard early as Kourtny Thomas drew a two-out walk, and Morrill followed with a two-run homer to right field in the first.
    GSU added two more runs in the top of the fifth. Breanna McLendon led off with a walk and scored later from third on a one-out, groundout. Tarashuk then stroked a double down the left field line to plate Thomas, who walked.
    The Hornets (1-11) trimmed the margin to 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth. Brehanna Rodrigues walked and advanced to third on a Meagan Dixon single. On the next pitch, Dixon got caught in a rundown trying to steal second and was safe, allowing Rodrigues to swipe home. Stephanie Hernandez then plated Dixon with a two-out single.

FIU 2, GSU 0
    Jenkins outdueled Georgia Southern pitcher Sarah Purvis in a low-scoring affair by striking out 10 while allowing two hits and walking one.
    Purvis went the distance and struck out four, scattering four hits and walking four batters for the Eagles. FIU (11-7) scored two runs in the first inning and made it hold up behind the pitching of Jenkins.
    Nicole Rascon led off the game with a slap single, and Brie Rojas knocked a two-run homer over the wall in left centerfield.
    The Eagles had the bases loaded with two outs in the fourth and left two more runners on in the sixth but could not push a run across.
    “We’re facing good competition, especially good pitching, and we need to continue to work hard and stay confident at the plate,” said GSU coach Annie Smith, following the loss to FIU. “We did some nice things in the middle innings and made them work, and they made some nice defensive plays.”
    The Eagles meet Kennesaw State at 3:30 p.m., today, before taking on FIU again at 5:30 p.m.         Tournament action begins Saturday at 9:30 a.m. with South Carolina facing Alabama State. All games are at Eagle field.