RICHMOND, Ky. — Eastern Kentucky University's softball team will travel to Statesboro, Georgia, this weekend to compete in the GATA Challenge.

The Colonels are scheduled to play five games, including two against both Georgia Southern and Rhode Island, and one against Tennessee Tech.

Eastern Kentucky enters the weekend with a 4-6 record after going 2-3 in the Puerto Vallarta Challenge.

EKU will open the tournament against Rhode Island on Feb. 20 at 12:30 p.m. EST.

Rhode Island is 1-2 on the season and has lost its last two games.

The Colonels hold a 4-1 record against Rhode Island, most recently earning a 10-3 win on Feb. 19, 2023.

Later that day, EKU will face Georgia Southern at 5:30 p.m.

Georgia Southern is 3-7 and has lost its last five games. The Colonels last played the Eagles on Feb. 20, 2015, earning a 6-3 victory.

Georgia Southern pitcher Alana Bernard was named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team. She is 0-5 this season, with 27 innings pitched, 18 strikeouts, and nine home runs allowed.

On Saturday, the Colonels will open play against Tennessee Tech at 10 a.m.

EKU is on a 12-game winning streak against the Eagles, most recently defeating them 6-3 in 2021. Assistant coach Smmi Miller went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and a run in that game.

Tennessee Tech is 1-7 this season, with its lone win coming against Queens, 8-2.

Following that game, the Colonels will play Georgia Southern for the second time at 12:30 p.m.

To close out the weekend, EKU will face Rhode Island on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Both games against Georgia Southern will be broadcast on ESPN+, while play-by-play for every game will be available via StatBroadcast.