AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Augusta University softball team split its doubleheader with SAC preseason favorite Lenoir-Rhyne on Friday at Jaguar Field, falling 7-5 in eight innings in game one before responding with a 4-2 victory in the nightcap.

Augusta moved to 2-4 overall, while Lenoir-Rhyne is now 3-3.

GAME ONE — LENOIR-RHYNE 7, AUGUSTA 5 (8 innings)

Lenoir-Rhyne built an early lead in the opener, but Augusta refused to back down.

Trailing 4-0 in the fourth inning, Emma Parker launched a two-run home run to spark the offense and shift momentum. The Jaguars tied the game later in the inning behind an RBI triple from Sydney Gilbert and an RBI groundout from Sophie Baker.

After Lenoir-Rhyne regained the lead in the fifth, Augusta answered immediately when Grace Bailey hit a solo home run to tie the game at 5-5.

The contest stayed even until the Bears scored twice in the eighth to secure the win.

Parker finished with two RBIs, Bailey homered and recorded two hits, and Payton Terrell went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Ansley Gibson took the loss, while Kristyn Ezzo pitched the final two innings in relief.

GAME TWO — AUGUSTA 4, LENOIR-RHYNE 2

The Jaguars answered with composure in game two, combining timely offense and steady pitching to earn the split.

Augusta scored first in the opening inning and added two more runs in the third to build a 3-0 lead. The Jaguars pushed across another run in the fourth and held on from there.

Madalyn Spinks earned the win in the circle, allowing one run over six innings with four strikeouts. Ryleigh Music pitched the final inning to earn the save.

Sam Tener scored twice, Bailey went 3-for-4, and Terrell drove in a run as Augusta totaled 10 hits.

WHAT'S NEXT

Augusta returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 14, traveling to Anderson University for a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.