FORT MYERS, Fla. — Georgia Southern softball picked up a historic victory Friday afternoon with a 1-0 win over Southern Illinois in the opening game of the FGCU/LaQuinta Inn at the Airport Tournament. Junior Sarah Purvis tossed the first perfect game in program history in the weekend’s opening game, facing the minimum of 21 batters. In game two, the Eagles took advantage of a late Wichita State error to force extra innings and won, 4-3, in eight innings.
“It was a great day for Georgia Southern softball,” coach Annie Smith said. “It was great to be a part of the first perfect game in school history. It was a tremendous game for Sarah, and we are so proud of her. In game two, we had a great team effort to come back and win. We got behind early, but we kept working and it paid off in extra innings.”
Purvis retired all 21 batters in order with 11 via the strikeout. Of the 10 balls that were put into play, eight were caught on the fly, and there were two ground outs. The 12th no-hit performance in school history is the second for Purivs, who tossed a no-no last season against LaSalle.
Purvis is 4-0 in 2013 with 42 strikeouts. She was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week earlier this season when she took a no-hitter through five and two-thirds in the season opener against St. John’s.