STATESBORO, Ga. – The Georgia Southern pitching staff allowed just two hits on Friday evening, as the homestanding Eagles defeated Bethune-Cookman, 3-0 in the season-opener for both teams at J.I. Clements Stadium.

Georgia Southern (1-0) used four pitchers in the game, and all picked up scoreless outings as the Eagles kept the Bethune-Cookman bats in check aside from a pair of hits in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively.

The Eagles opened the game's scoring with two runs in the second inning.

Will Hudgins' double inside the first base bag scored Ryan Cleveland who began the GS at-bat working a walk from B-CU (0-1) starting pitcher Keith Zuniga. Two batters later, Dalton Busby drove in Hudgins from second with a single through the left side.

The Eagles widened their lead in the fifth, as Hunter Thomas led off the home-half with a home run to right field, making it 3-0.

Georgia Southern got solid performances out of the bullpen from Jason Richman, Tripp Sheppard and Chris Brown, each working scoreless frames. Richman struck out four in 1 2/3, while Sheppard and Brown each threw an inning apiece, combining for three strikeouts.

Redshirt sophomore Evan Challenger worked 5 1/3 scoreless innings for the Eagles, allowing just two hits and no walks, while striking out six batters. Sidearm left-hander Richman cleaned up the sixth frame out of the bullpen, striking out two and leaving Jake Welch stranded on first for the Cats.

Brown collected the save for the Eagles.

B-CU's Zuniga took the loss for the Wildcats, as he went seven complete innings, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out six batters against just a single walk.

B-CU got hits on the night from Welch and Brandon Wilkes, respectively.

The Wildcats will look to even the series on Saturday, as first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. B-CU will go with junior right-hander Alex Seibold to start, as Georgia Southern counters with right-hander Adam Kelly.

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-www.BCUathletics.com-