AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University softball opened the 2026 season Friday with a split against No. 10 Francis Marion at Jaguar Field. The Jaguars won the opener 3-2 before falling 8-2 in game two in the first doubleheader played with the newly erected Jaguar Field stadium seating.
Augusta is 1-1 on the season. Francis Marion is 3-1.
Game 1: Augusta 3, Francis Marion 2
Augusta took the opener 3-2 behind a complete-game effort from Ansley Gibson, who allowed three hits and two runs, one earned, while walking three and striking out three.
The Jaguars opened the scoring in the bottom of the second. Teagan Hinson singled up the middle and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Gibson. With two outs, Sydney Gilbert singled to center field to drive in Hinson for a 1-0 lead.
Francis Marion evened the game in the fourth after loading the bases with two errors and a bunt single, then scored on a sacrifice fly to tie it 1-1.
Augusta responded immediately in the bottom half. Gibson singled to right center and Chesney Miles pinch ran, advancing to second on a fly out. Gilbert came through again with an RBI single to center to score Miles and put Augusta back on top, 2-1.
The Jaguars added an insurance run in the sixth. Payton Terrell pinch hit and tripled down the left field line, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Hinson to make it 3-1.
Francis Marion pulled within one in the seventh on a solo home run, but Gibson retired the next three batters to close out the win.
Gilbert finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Terrell went 1-for-1 with a triple and scored a run. Augusta totaled seven hits.
Game 2: Francis Marion 8, Augusta 2
Francis Marion scored seven runs in the top of the first inning and held on for an 8-2 win in the nightcap.
Augusta got on the board in the second. Payton Terrell doubled down the left field line and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Sydney Baker. Jalia Usry reached on a fielder's choice, and Terrell scored on a throwing error.
The Jaguars added a second run in the fifth. Kelsea Moody singled as a pinch hitter, and Chesney Miles reached on an error to put two aboard. After a double play, Valeria Oropeza walked, and Gilbert doubled down the left field line to drive in Miles.
Madalyn Spinks pitched seven innings in relief after entering in the first, allowing two runs, one earned, on eight hits with two strikeouts.
Terrell finished 2-for-2 with a double, a single and a walk, scoring one of Augusta's runs. Gilbert added an RBI double. Oropeza doubled and walked.
Up Next
Augusta travels to Newberry for a nonconference doubleheader on Tuesday, Feb. 11. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
