Jaguars open softball season with a split against North Greenville

By Justin Gray | Sports editor

The Augusta University softball team’s 2024 campaign began with a doubleheader split with North Greenville by scores of 3-6 and 9-6 at Jaguar Field on Thursday, Feb. 1.  

AU Coach Melissa Brocato and her Jaguars were ready to play someone else after a long off-season of practices and scrimmages.  

It was a fast start to the opener. 

North Greenville got on the board, scoring two runs in the first inning thanks to a double from Maddie Stone.  

Augusta answered back quickly, tying the game at 2-2 on a single from Aliyah Luke. The Jaguars took their first lead of the game in the third, going up 3-2 on a sacrifice fly from Lauren Evens.  

However, the Crusaders’ bats came alive as Stone hit a two-run homer, collecting her fourth RBI of the game.  

Callie Trapp gave NGU some insurance in the fifth inning with a solo home run. Shortly after, Virginia Bishop added another on an RBI double. 

The Jaguars failed to bring another run across the plate as they fell 6-3.  Augusta only had three hits in the affair.  

Alissa Bolinger got the start on the mound, going 4 and a third innings, allowing six earned runs while striking out four.  

Karley Green toed the rubber for North Greenville as she threw a complete game, allowing three earned runs. 

Game two went much better for the home-standing Jaguars. This was a high-scoring game and a fun one to watch.  

AU broke the ice in the second inning when Cadance Winder crossed the plate on a wild pitch.  

North Greenville answered back in the third with a three-run homer off the bat of Green, the star pitcher from the first game.  

The Jaguars erupted in the bottom half of the third, scoring six runs and taking a 7-3 lead. These runs were produced off the bats of Winder, Luke, Sophie Baker and Grace Bridges. Both Baker and Bridges knocked in two runs.  

NGU plated two in the fourth, but the Jaguars got both back. One came on a solo homer from Bailee Roberts, the preseason all-conference selection, and one on a double from Lauren Barrett.  

North Greenville scored one in the fifth, but the Jags were able to hold on for their first victory of the season, 9-6. 

Hannah Turner started the game for AU, and she went four innings, allowing five runs, four of which were earned. She was relieved by Madalyn Spinks, who went the final three innings, allowing only one run.  

Winder and Barrett from AU both had outstanding games at the plate, as both went 2 for 3 with one RBI each.  

Brocato was satisfied with the start to the season.

“I was pleased overall with the games,” she said. “I think there are a few things we could have executed better, but I’m pleased with a split.

“I hope to see a little more fight at the plate. I felt like we weren’t as aggressive as I’d like for us to be. I would love to see more of an attack mentality.”

Senior Shelbie Summerlin got the start at second base in both games and spoke for all of the Jaguars about being excited to be back competing. 

“It felt really good to come back and get the win in the second game,” said the Dallas (Ga.) native. “We played a tough first game but fell just short. I think we showed a lot of strength in the bounce back. I was very impressed with how we stayed up as a team and didn’t let the small things snowball into something bigger.” 

Next up for the Jaguars is a trip to Claflin College in South Carolina on Friday, Feb. 2, for a doubleheader. Game one starts at 2 p.m. and the second begins at 4 p.m.  AU will host Francis Marion on Sunday. First pitch in the opener will be at 1 p.m.

 Contact Justin Gray at jusgray@augusta.edu.