STATESBORO, Ga. – The Coastal Carolina softball team fell 3-1 to the Georgia Southern Eagles in Statesboro, Ga., on Friday. The loss ties the series at 1-1.

CCU fell to 19-15, 2-6 Sun Belt, while the Eagles improve to 20-12 and 4-4 in league play.

Coastal took the lead in the opening frame when leadoff batter Libby Pippin reached on a hit-by-pitch. Delaney Keith then stepped up to the plate and ripped an RBI double to right field to put CCU up 1-0.

Georgia Southern answered back in the bottom of the second inning after a CCU fielding miscue allowed Emily Greek to cross home plate to level the score at 1-1.

In the bottom of the third inning, Georgia Southern's Janai Conklin belted a leadoff home run over the left-field wall to put the Eagles in front, 2-1.

The Eagles struck again in the bottom of the fourth inning when Faith Barth laced an RBI double to left field to extend their lead to 3-1.

The Chants looked to come back in the top of the sixth inning when Iyanla De Jesus and Georgia Hood each cracked singles, but the Eagles held on to secure the 3-1 win.

Nicolette Picone took the loss in the circle after giving up three runs and nine hits. The junior recorded a season-high eight strikeouts in the contest.

The Chanticleers will face the Eagles tomorrow at noon ET for the series-deciding matchup.

For complete coverage of CCU softball, follow the Chanticleers on social media at @CoastalSoftball (Twitter), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), and facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.