STATESBORO, Ga. – The Coastal Carolina softball team exploded for five runs in the fifth inning to defeat the Georgia Southern Eagles, 6-2, in the series-deciding matchup in Statesboro, Ga., on Saturday.

With the win, CCU improves to 20-15, 3-6 Sun Belt, while the Eagles fall to 20-13, 4-5 Sun Belt.

Georgia Southern struck first in the bottom of the third inning when Katie Perkins and Faith Barth reached on back-to-back singles. Janai Conklin then stepped into the batter's box and laced an RBI double to left field to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.

The Chants responded in the top of the fifth inning when Clara Hudgens and Libby Pippin each tallied singles up the middle. Delaney Keith then reached on a walk while Hudgens scored on a wild pitch to level the score at 1-1. Riley Zana then stepped up to the plate and laid down a sacrifice bunt. Pippin sprinted home from third on the play and was called safe on obstruction to give Coastal a 2-1 lead.

The runs kept coming for the Chants in the top of the fifth when Iyanla De Jesus belted a three-run home run over the centerfield wall to extend CCU's lead to 5-1.

The Eagles kept fighting in the bottom of the fifth inning when Barth cracked an RBI single up the middle to reduce the deficit to 5-2.

CCU added an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning when Zana smashed a single up the middle to drive in Pippin from third base to make the score 6-2 and ultimately give CCU the win.

Raelee Brabham picked up her 14th win in the circle, giving up two runs while striking out seven batters in her 4.1 innings of work.

The Chanticleers will return to St. John Stadium on Wednesday to take on the College of Charleston at 4 p.m. ET.

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.