ANDERSON, S.C. – The Augusta University softball team dropped a pair of nonconference games on Saturday afternoon, falling 5-4 and 9-1 to Anderson (S.C.) at Anderson, S.C. Augusta moved to 1-6 overall, while Anderson improved to 7-3 on the season.
Game One – Anderson 5, Augusta 4
Augusta battled back after a difficult opening inning, but Anderson held on for a 5-4 win in the first game of the doubleheader.
The Trojans struck quickly in the bottom of the first, using a two-run double and a two-run home run to jump out to a 4-0 lead. The Jaguars responded in the fourth inning as Ansley Gibson doubled to right center, setting the stage for an RBI single from Sydney Gilbert that brought Augusta within three at 4-1. Augusta continued to chip away in the fifth inning. Sam Tener reached base and later scored on a triple to left field by Eden Parker to make it a 4-2 game.
After holding Anderson scoreless through the middle innings, Augusta tied the game in the top of the seventh when Grace Bailey homered to bring home Tener and knot the score at 4-4. However, Anderson answered in the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run to walk off the win.
Bailey finished game one with a home run and two RBIs, while Parker added a triple and an RBI. Gilbert recorded two hits and drove in a run.
Kristyn Ezzo pitched six innings in relief, striking out seven.
Game Two – Anderson 9, Augusta 1
Anderson took control early in the second game, scoring five runs in the first inning and never looking back in a 9-1 victory in five innings. The Trojans added a run in the second and three more in the third, including a three-run home run, to build a 9-0 advantage. Augusta got on the board in the fourth inning when Eden Parker doubled and later scored on a sacrifice groundout by Sydney Gilbert to make it 9-1.
Parker and Payton Terrell each collected two hits in the second game of the day, as Augusta totaled five hits.
Madalyn Spinks took the loss in the circle, while Rylan Music worked three innings in relief and recorded two strikeouts.
