AUGUSTA, Ga.  – The GRU Augusta softball team recovered from a 4-2 game-one loss and won a 6-2 second game to split the non-conference doubleheader with the Anderson Trojans Saturday afternoon at Jaguar Field.

With the doubleheader split, the Jaguars moved to 3-1 on the season, while Anderson bumps to 7-2.

In game one, GRU (3-1) starter Paige Deschaine gave up two runs in the third inning for the early deficit. After Deschaine (1-1) dealt a leadoff walk, a single into right field moved the runners into scoring position. Chelsea Jones ripped a shot down the left-field line two plate two for a 2-0 advantage.

An inning later Molly Child, who paced AU in game one with a 2-3 day with two RBI and a run, hit a double to score two and boost the lead to 4-0.

GRU's Brooke Stephens lifted the Jags in the bottom of the fourth and made things interesting. Mallory Ferguson singled to lead off the inning and Lindsey Stokes doubled to put runners on second and third with Stephens coming to the plate. Stephens found her pitch and delivered a three-run homerun to cut the U lead to 4-3. It was Stephens' second long ball in back-to-back series after she knocked a grand slam against Newberry on Feb. 10.

The three runs weren't enough and Chelsea Jones took over the mound and got the save to hold on to the 4-3 game-one win. Mallory Ferguson led the Jags bats with a 2-3 game one with a scored run. Lindsey Stokes and Brooke Stephens were each 1-3 with Stephens picking up three RBI on the long homerun.

Deschaine gave up seven hits for four runs, but struck out nine game in second-consecutive outing on the mound.

In game two, it was GRU who began the scoring off AU starter Lauren Rudesheim. Rudesheim hit Stephens to leadoff the second and she made her way to third after a sacrifice bunt and grounder. The Trojans' infield error brought Stephens home for a 1-0 lead.

Jaguar starter Haley Birkle struck out the leadoff batter of the third inning, but the Trojans drew a walk to get another baserunner. Childs stayed hot from game one with an RBI single to right field to tie the game for an earned run. GRU's defense didn't help their pitcher later in the inning when an error at first base allowed another Trojan to score an unearned run for a 2-1 lead

In their half of the third inning, the Jags started it with a double from Senior Molly Walton. Caitlyn Glenn did her job two batters later and brought in Walton with a fielder's choice to tie the game again. A walk advanced runners and got Stephens back to the plate for her to line an RBI single and take a lead they wouldn't give up.

Ahead 3-2, GRU added three off Rudesheim in the sixth to secure the doubleheader split and give Birkle (2-0) her second win of the year. Birkle tossed a complete game in 7.0 innings and gave up four hits for two runs, but only one earned.

The Jaguars are scheduled to host Carson-Newman for a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 1:00 p.m.

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow GRU Athletics at www.jaguarsroar.com and receive short updates on Facebook at GRU_Jaguars and on Twitter at @GRU_Jaguars.