BOONE, N.C. - Georgia Southern's softball team got its 2012 Southern Conference Softball Tournament off to a winning start late Wednesday night with a 3-0 victory over Samford. The top-seeded Eagles endured a five-hour rain delay that pushed back the first game of the tournament to win their contest, which began at 10:48 p.m. The Eagles advanced to face either Appalachian State or UNC Greensboro in the second round of the tournament at 7 tonight.

"It was a long day for us, but I'm happy that we got the win today," GSU head coach Annie Smith said. "Sarah (Purvis) had another great outing, and Kaitlyn (Johnson) had a huge hit to give us the runs early."

The Eagles took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a three-run home run by Kaitlyn Johnson. Her second career home run plated Alexa Lewis and Marie Fogle. It was the sixth time this season that the Eagles hit a home run in the first inning.

SoCon Pitcher of the Year Sarah Purvis struck out nine in a complete game shutout for her 21st overall victory and sixth-straight win. She worked out of a jam in the sixth inning without allowing a run, striking out one and inducing a pop up with runners on second and third to keep the Bulldogs scoreless in the frame.

GSU improved to 39-17 overall and snapped a string of three-straight tournaments where the Eagles lost the opening game.

Appalachian State and UNC Greensboro will play at 10 a.m. today for the right to face the top-seeded Eagles at 7 tonight.