Jaguar softball team splits series on the road with Coker University

By Carlos Rodriguez | Sports editor 

Seven innings, zero runs, 12 strikeouts.

That’s the pitching performance Augusta University’s softball team received on the mound from freshman Chloe Wilson on Sunday, Feb. 7, in an 8-0 Game Two win at Coker College in Hartsville, S.C.

Match that with 13 hits and eight runs totaled from the batting order, and it brought the Jaguars their first victory of the season in the second game of the doubleheader. 

The Jaguars (1-3) dropped Game One, 2-0, only accumulating three hits, but turned things around in the second game, gaining 10 more hits than the previous game. 

In Game Two, Wilson only gave up three hits and struck out two batters each inning except the sixth.

“Chloe has a great mound presence,” said AU Coach Melissa Brocato. “She’s got a full repertoire of pitches that we can pull from, so that’s fun to work with. It’s exciting for her to get her first college win.”

Despite giving up two runs in the first game, junior Mary Tillman had a strong performance as well on the mound, only allowing four hits and striking out 10 batters. On the offensive side the Jags only got three hits making it a defensive game for both teams to say the least.

“I thought she threw a really good game,” said Brocato. “She had good command of her pitches for the most part. She personally has great focus on the mound, she didn’t let herself get rattled.”

In the first inning, Chloe Pelham hit a solo home run to give Coker (1-1) its first run of the game. 

Pelham scored the Cobras’ second run of the game in the fourth inning when Madison King hit a single to drive her in.

The Jaguars scored a run or more in five of the seven innings of the second game.

Junior Jakayla Sullivan started things out in the first inning with an RBI single, driving in junior Madelyn Libby.

“One of the things we say is ‘score first’ so when we’re away and we’re up to bat first we want to make sure we try to score in that first inning. It does set a tone. It helps the pitcher go out for her first outing a little more relax when she sees a run or two up on the board.” 

In the second inning, with the bases loaded, senior Lindsey South drove in two runs after hitting a shot to the left fielder who recorded an error attempting to catch the ball. With runners on second and third, freshman Lauren Slade grounded to shortstop but freshman Aliyah Luke was able to advance home to make it 4-0 for the Jags.

In the fourth, junior Olivia Biles was up to the plate with Slade on third and grounded to third but during the throw to first Slade took off to home plate and dove in safely as the throw from first to home was too late.

AU received some insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings to pad on to their lead. 

In the sixth senior Summer Frye grounded out to first base but Libby was able to advance home from third to score another run. Next up junior Aminah Wood hit an RBI single to center field as Sullivan scored.

In the seventh Biles knocked an RBI double to drive in junior Emma Seagrave. 

“One of the things I was really proud of is when we put people in situations to pinch hit or something like that, they stepped up,” said Brocato. “When people were called upon, they were ready. It’s good to have people that take their role seriously. It makes it more fun and more of a team effort which it was yesterday.”

Wood led the team in hitting with five hits in six plate appearances through both games.

“She has tons of hitting potential and she did a great job behind the plate. I’m super proud of her stepping up coming in and producing time after time on offensive. I think that helped the other hitters around her to feel more confident as well.”

After not being able to attend last week’s season opener due to family reasons, these were Brocato’s first games coaching since last season.

“After how the season ended so abruptly last year, it was great to be back out there coaching and seeing the girls do well,” she said.

The first-game win for Coker was the first for new coach Mackenzie Draine.

The Jaguars (1-3) have two doubleheaders at home this week. Tuesday, Feb. 9, they host Wingate University (1-1) and Friday, Feb. 12 against Anderson University (2-0). Both doubleheader games are slated for 1 and 3 p.m. 

“Wingate and Anderson are always good teams; they’re well coached, so it should be a good matchup,” said Brocato. “If we bring our best game out, then we should definitely see some good games.”

Augusta University is allowing spectators to attend at Jaguar Field as long as they wear masks and comply with social-distancing guidelines. For fans that are unable to attend in person but still interested in watching, the games are broadcast at pbcsportsnetwork.com.

 Contact Carlos Rodriguez at carrodriguez@augusta.edu.

Mary Tillman delivers a pitch for the Jaguars, while Meredith McLendon readies at third base. At the top of the page, Chloe Wilson shows her form en route to a 12-strikeout performance. (photos by Carlos Rodriguez)