AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University Softball team dropped a series to Columbus State. After falling 3-0 on Saturday, the Jags dropped a 12-4 contest before losing 10-5 in the final game of the series. The Jaguars are now 13-17 on the season, 0-12 in conference play while the Cougars improve to 18-9, 7-2 PBC.  

On Saturday afternoon, Game 1 of the series proved to be a pitching battle. Augusta carded four hits in the contest while Columbus State only turned in four. The visiting team scored all three of their runs in the fifth inning off a solo home run and two bases loaded walks.
 
Grace Bridges, Bailee Roberts, Bobbi Poff, and Lauren Barrett all carded in hits for the Jags

Ansley Gibson started on the mound for AU, lasting 4.2 innings giving up three runs and two hits. Hannah Turner would finish the game.

In second game of the series – the first of the Sunday doubleheader – Paige Patterson and Bailee Roberts both hit solo homers for two of the fours Augusta scores. Patterson opened scoring with a homer in the first inning and added another run off a single in the fifth inning.

An eight-run second inning for Columbus State helped push the Cougars to an eventual 12-4 victory.

Hayden Pearson started the game for AU, hurling 1.0 inning, allowing 2 hits for 2 runs.  Hannah Turner and Maggie McBrayer each came in to pitch in relief. 

In the third and final game of the series, Columbus State struck first, driving in a single run in the first inning off a single to center field. Lauren Evens would even the score in the bottom of the second inning with another solo homer run.
After Columbus State tacked two more runs in the third stanza, Shelbie Summerlin would get to second base off an error from the short stop. After a sac bunt from Bridges advanced her to third base, Summerlin would score off a Bobbi Poff double to left field.

An error from the Columbus State's second baseman in the fourth inning gave AU a run before Lauren Slade stole home to even the score at 4-4. Augusta would card another run before the Cougars used a five-run sixth inning to cement the 10-5 victory.

Alissa Bolinger tossed 4.0 innings, striking out five batters and allowing five hits before Ansley Gibson replaced her for the final 3.0 innings.

The Jaguars head to Blufton, S.C for their first ever PBC series against USC Beaufort March 24-25. Live stats and video will be available at augustajags.com
 
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