The Bell Ringer | Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 Vol. 69 Issue I

Homecoming 2023:

What’s in store for Augusta University’s campus celebrations

By Rakiyah Lenon Editor in chief

Augusta University kicked off its first homecoming celebrations for 2023 with a fireworks show and latenight brunch on the Summerville Campus on Feb. 19.

Fashion is front and center as this year’s theme for homecoming, entitled “Blue Vouge—where homecoming never goes out of style.”

LaSherrica Christian, assistant director of student programs at the Student Life and Engagement office, said the hope of this year’s theme is to allow students to portray themselves in a way that is unique to them.

“We’re really hoping that students get to embody who they are and what they bring to fashion,” she said.

Christian said the idea is for students to be creative in how they choose to express themselves for homecoming as they represent AU. Bright colors, patterns and cultural attire are encouraged.

“Your fashion makes us who we are as AU,” she said. “Embrace who you are.”

In addition to the high-fashion theme, students are invited to participate in a number of the usual events including voting for new campus royalty and cheering on AU basketball at the homecoming game later this week.

Students will receive information via email to place their vote for a homecoming king, queen, duke and duchess. The winners of duke and duchess are

expected to be announced at the scheduled homecoming dance on Feb. 24 and the new homecoming king and queen will be crowned during the half-time of the men’s basketball game on Feb. 25.

The Jaguars will take on Clayton State in the last home game of the season before the Peach Belt.

Logan Moore, coordinator of student involvement and primary advisor for The CREW, said Jaguar Mania will be an exciting experience for students.

“I’m really, really looking forward to that,” Moore said. “Show up with your friends, have fun. It’s just going to be really hype.”

For a list of homecoming activites, see the events calendar on page 2.

Like Jaguars roar: See how a student helped bring a wild change to AU’s campus store

By Brionna Law Staff writer

Angela Stephan, a senior communication major at Augusta University, had a big hand in coming up with the renaming and rebranding of AU’s Roar Store, formerly called the JagStore.

Stephan came up with the idea last semester when Taylor Lamb, director of Marketing & Career Services, came to Assistant Professor Carrie Reif-Stice’s Integrated Strategic Communication class to talk about his career and work at AU. When the floor opened up for questions, Stephan said she suggested the new name.

“He asked, ‘if you could change the name, what

would it be?’ And I thought, since we’re Jaguars, we need something that makes us powerful, proud, and the first thing that came to my mind was ‘roar,’ like the Roar Store,” Stephan said.

Along with a name change, Stephan also suggested a design change to update the store.

“To me the store, at the time, looked like an abandoned urgent care like you see in scary movies—the lights and the colors and stuff inside,” Stephan said.

“So, I suggested that too.”

Stephan said that she felt happy about the news, as well as grateful to the communication department.

“It shows that our com-

munication department and our professors have given us the tools and the opportunity to meet people,” Stephan said. “Dr. Carrie brought him as a guest. Therefore, I was able to suggest, and therefore it happened, so it’s like a chain of events, and I know this from my experience, all our professors in the communication department are very supportive of our creativity.”

Stephan is also happy that she has left her mark on the school that will remain even after she graduates. Stephan said, “It was exciting because although I might graduate soon, hopefully in summer ’23, I’m leaving something behind.”

Angela Stephan’s idea to rename the campus store became a reality as AU held a relaunch party on Feb. 1. (photo courtesy of Angela Stephan)

AU’s mascot Augustus will be on campus celebrating the homecoming events this week. (photo by Rakiyah Lenon)

Here’s how we tackle the parking problem

By Rakiyah Lenon Editor in chief

In case you missed it, people like to talk about parking at Augusta University. In my earlier days of college, I had many classes online, which didn’t require me to be on campus as much as I do now. I live a short drive from campus, so it was easy for my parents to drop me off and pick me up whenever I did have in-person classes or meetings.

This semester, I started driving my own vehicle back and forth to classes more consistently. I’ve been getting the routine, making detours, noticing the higher gas prices and ultimately, parking.

Warning. What I’m about to say might be controversial to some readers.

Parking on AU’s Summerville Campus isn’t that bad.

Okay, okay, I get it. I’m not a veteran to the parking thing, so my viewpoint would obviously differ from others who have had to

Editor in Chief Rakiyah Lenon rlenon@augusta.edu

News Editor

Liz Wright elizwright@augusta.edu

Sports Editor

Carlos Rodriguez carrodriguez@augusta.edu

Photography Editor

Madison Keel mkeel@augusta.edu

Features Editor

CM Wahl cwahl@augusta.edu

CALENDAR of EVENTS:

February 20-23

• All Day — Homecoming Court Elections

park on campus for a while, but from the experience I’ve had this semester, it doesn’t seem to be as bad as I’ve always heard.

I obviously don’t want to speak too soon because the moment I say that, things could become crazy.

Why isn’t it that bad, you ask?

I notice that there are often multiple spaces earlier in the mornings. It might not be the closest parking space to the building where you have class, but it’s not too long of a walk. I’ll admit, some portions of the afternoons can be a bit hectic, but nothing a little patience can’t fix.

Patience. Medical personnel have patients, but everyone has patience. Or at least we should.

Far too many times have we seen news articles about violent road rage and parking scuffles. If we practice a little more patience, we can be calmer and recognize that our mental health and

Bell Ringer Staff

Brionna Law brilaw@augusta.edu

Micah Webb mwebb1@augusta.edu

Kimberlyn Ware kiware@augusta.edu

Payton Willis paywillis@augusta.edu

Shelbie Summerlin ssummerlin@augusta.edu

Angela Stephan astephan@augusta.edu

Joshua Picklesimer jpicklesimer@augusta.edu

Riley Triplett rtriplett@augusta.edu

EDITORIAL POLICY

physical well-being are far more important than being up in arms about a parking space.

Getting to campus earlier than the time your class starts can help too. It can help you be more settled and feel less rushed if you budget for more time earlier in your schedule.

Of course, I can’t say parking isn’t an issue on the Health Sciences Campus. Finding parking there is rather challenging.

Discussions about building new parking decks and providing more parking lots have been in the rounds, and I think it would be of benefit to the AU community in the rapidly growing area.

Overall, parking means a lot to us at AU. Get it? A lot? Parking lot? I’ll stop. But we should give each other space--okay, I’ll really stop, to recognize that we’re all here to learn and grow, and parking shouldn’t be something that stops that.

February 20

• 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. — Homecoming Hangout at Dental College field

February 21

• 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Candidate Cookout at the JSAC Patio

February 22

• 7 p.m. — Jaguar Mania at Maxwell Theatre

February 24

• 8 p.m. — Homecoming Dance and Crowning of Duke and Duchess in JSAC Roscoe Williams Ballroom

February 25

• 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. —

AU women’s and men’s Homecoming Games at Christenberry Fieldhouse

February 25

• Halftime of the Men’s Game — Crowning of Homecoming King and Queen Christenberry Fieldhouse

February 26

• 7 p.m. — Step Afrika! at Maxwell Theatre

Advisor

Rachel Balducci rbalducci@augusta.edu

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CORRECTIONS POLICY

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Garrett Green:

Augusta Univeristy’s new chief diversity officer

Last month, Garrett Green was announced as the new chief diversity officer of Office of Diversity and Inclusion in a statement sent from Provost Neil MacKinnon. Green, who is from Augusta, said the city and AU has provided him the with resources and opprotunities to be successful in his work.

“The opportunity to serve as the Chief Diversity Officer at this institution in this community will be much more than just employment,” he said. “It will be my passion and purpose that will be exuded in the quality of my work.”

(photo courtesy of Whitney Wysong)

NEWSPAPER STAFF:

AU hosts the 20th annual Black Scholar Recognition Program

Augusta University hosted the annual Black Scholar Recognition Program recognizing 84 high-achieving Black students from 31 high schools in the CSRA at the Maxwell Theatre on Feb. 13.

The recognized students from these schools and their families gathered to celebrate their outstanding academic achievements. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the Black Scholar Recognition Program.

Lynthia Ross, communications and policy strategist for the Richmond Country school system, was the keynote speaker at the event.

Ross is an alumna of AU and served on the universities alumni board several years ago.

“My path to Augusta University, then Augusta State University, was through my mother,” she said. “It was the best decision for me actually. I graduated with an undergraduate degree in communications from here in 2003 and in 2006, I completed a master’s in public administration,” she said.

She encouraged students to hold on to key ideas as they continue school.

“Be loving. Be patient. Be brave. Be humble. Be inspired and uplifted. And be yourself,” she said.

Attendants received a

student greeting from Tyler Guy, a first-year psychology major at AU. He told students about his search for universities in high school described Augusta as the perfect city for him to attend college. Guy, who is originally from Macon, Ga., is part of the African American Male Initiative program campus.

“AAMI is an organization housed within the Multicultural Student Engagement office that provides a space for black male first-year students at the university to be mentored by other black male students who are further along in their career here at the university,” he said. “AAMI was truly help-

ful in a variety of different ways. It actually helped me make my first friend group in college.”

Susan Davies, the vice president of enrollment and student affairs also congratulated the students and their families for their accomplishments. She also encouraged the students

in attendance to consider choosing AU in their future academic paths.

“We are the university that delivers the best return on investment for what you invest in your tuition and fees and what is returned to you in terms of a career and job placement after college,” she said.

Impact of AU’s Visiting Scholars Program

By Micah Webb Staff writer

The Faculty Inclusive Excellence Initiative was an initiative created to help increase representation where it’s needed here at Augusta University. The initiative helps diversify AU’s faculty so that students get the opportunity to learn and hear from people with different backgrounds.

Within the Faculty Inclusive Excellence Initiative is the Visiting Scholars Program.

The Visiting Scholars Program is consists of longterm visiting scholars and short-term visiting scholars. The program brings in underrepresented faculty in different career areas to visit and talk to students so that they can hear from faculty with different perspectives and backgrounds.

Latria Graham, a longterm visiting scholar, was brought in to teach a cre-

ative writing nonfiction course. She will be at AU for the entire semester and plans to be a positive influence for students.

“I’m here for students in a way that other faculty that have certain duties can’t be. I want to be around for students who may not have had someone like this in their lives,” Graham said.

Graham believes that if the program continues to bring in people from different regions and class backgrounds, it can have an influence on the AU community.

“It can change the way students see themselves, it could change the way they relate to the world or it change the way they see the systems around them,” she said.

Michelle Johnson, coordinator over the Visiting Scholars Program, also believes that the program can

have a tremendous impact on the AU community.

“It provides our students and faculty an opportunity

to get outside perspectives from people they would not have an opportunity to hear from.”

Johnson sees a bright future in the Visiting Scholars Program and hopes that the program is able keep representing underrepresented faculty.

Students are able to recommend to their professors people who they might believe are underrepresented in their career field to come visit the school. Dr. Johnson wants students to be involved in the program as well.

“Students can definitely be involved in the process and tell their faculty who they would like to see come visit the school. It needs to be someone who is underrepresented in their career field,” she said.

For more information on the Faculty Inclusive Excellence Initiative and Visiting Scholarships Program, visit The Bell Ringer website online and Augusta Univeristy’s webpage.

Latria Graham is a long-term visiting scholar teaching at AU for this spring semester. (photo courtesy of Carlos Nasisse)

Lynthia Ross recieved both her bachelor’s degree in communications and master’s degree in public administration from Augusta University in 2003 and 2006. (photo by Rakiyah Lenon)

Class of 2026 psychology major Tyler Strong welcomed students and shared his advice on how to have academic success. (photo by Rakiyah Lenon)

By Rakiyah Lenon Editor in chief

Greenblatt Library celebrates 60 years

By Rakiyah Lenon Editor in chief

Augusta University’s Greenblatt Library celebrated the 60th anniversary of its opening with a “Love Your Library” meet and greet event on Feb. 15.

Librarians, staff and students gathered on the first floor to socialize and chat over refreshments. The celebration comes as the Greenblatt is undergoing renovations to modernize and adapt to the needs of the community who utilizes it. It is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

Brad Warren, dean of

libraries, said when the building was opened 1963, it was a unique and modern design for its time.

Speaking of the library, Warren said, “It was a really significant investment. It’s been able to weather a lot of changes, and libraries are obviously different than how than how they were 60 years ago.”

Lyn Dennison, a retired reference librarian and assistant director, began working at the library in 1980. Dennison said she was there to help students transition with the changes in technological advancements and enjoyed helping

those around her.

“I saw a lot of changes,” she said. “I loved working with both students and faculty. That was my favorite part, just to sit down and find the best information.”

Warren added that the library continues to grow with the community.

“As the nature of the community we’re a part of changes, we change too,” he said. “We’re always under transition and approaching things differently and that’s what I think is exciting.”

The current renovations to the building will allow for more social activities on the first floor and space to

LoMonte to give talk in March

By Rakiyah Lenon Editor in chief

Veteran legal counsel

Frank LoMonte will give the Future of the First Amendment Lecture at Augusta University on Tuesday, March 14.

LoMonte, who is an attorney for CNN in Atlanta, will give a talk titled “Free Speech and Transparency on Campus: Lessons from the Pandemic.”

“I’m hoping we can talk about ways to get the public to pick up the baton that newspapers and their lawyers used to carry, advocating for both legal changes and cultural mindset changes, so the public’s information can truly be accessible to the public,” he said.

The

showcase historical artifacts.

“We’re looking forward to it,” he said.

Shannon Terral, medical library associate, said she hopes students know how much the library appreci-

ates them.

“We wanted to make sure that our students know we shine because of y’all,” she said. “We’re here anytime that y’all need us. We wouldn’t be here without y’all.”

JagPulse allows AU community to volunteer

locally, regionally

By Kimberlyn Ware Staff writer

Are you interested in volunteering or want to know more about volunteer opportunities around the CSRA? The newly launched JagPulse is here!

JagPulse is Augusta University’s newest community engagement online platform created for AU’s students, faculty and staff. The platform allows AU’s community to connect with local and regional nonprofit organizations to give back to the community.

As of February 2023, AU has logged over 3,340 volunteer hours along with nearly 13,000 people that

have volunteered.

AU’s Volunteer Services and Community Engagement team hosted two parties to celebrate JagPulse’s platform’s launch in January.

Volunteers can log their hours through multiple events as well as be on the lookout for new opportunities that are posted on the site regularly. JagPulse will make it easier for students, faculty and staff to find volunteer opportunities around the community.

The community engagement manager for JagPulse is Kristie Johnson. She can be reached at kjohnson40@augusta.edu.

event is free and open to the public. (flyer courtesy of Morgan Hayes)

Lyn Dennison (left) and Brad Warren (right) speak with each other at the celebration recognizing the 60th anniversary of the library’s opening Feb. 15 on the Health Sciences Campus. (photo by Rakiyah Lenon)

Greenblatt Library building in 1963. (photo courtesy of AU Libraries)

“We wanted to make sure that our students know that we shine because of y’all.”

Shannon Terral, AU Medical Library Associate

Who has the best breakfast in town?

By CM Wahl Features editor

To me, a born-and-bred New Yorker, great breakfast is had in a classic-style diner. Big, red booth seats; a table-top mini-jukebox and a wide-smiled waitress loudly smacking her gum.

As I’ve come to adjust to life in Augusta, Ga., I’ve learned to embrace “smothered and covered” hash browns at Waffle House and a buttery stack of pecan pancakes at Cracker Barrel. But nothing beats a meal that tastes homemade and doesn’t come from a chain restaurant.

In the past few weeks, two people have told me I had to try the “best breakfast in town,” only they were referring to different places. Intrigued, I decided to try both restaurants to see which, or if either, deserved the coveted title of “best breakfast.”

The first recommendation I received was First Watch, located on 630 Crane Creek Drive, Suite 405 in Augusta, Ga. near the Sprouts supermarket. The place is quite large and has a slew of seating. It was a Friday, mid-morning, yet still brimming with people. Thankfully, there was only a short wait and my friend and I were seated a few minutes after arriving.

The first thing I noticed was their extensive menu. They offer a variety of options from brunch to power bowls to omelets and frittatas, without forgetting griddle favorites and classic plates. There were so many choices, in fact, I struggled to choose just one. I ultimately opted for the Farmhouse Hash, a combination of bacon, seasoned potatoes, roasted onions and tomatoes, avocado and cheese, topped with eggs and adorned with artisan toast and a side of fruit.

The waitress brought my hot chocolate with a mound of whipped cream so high, it was impossible to drink without burying my nose. That wasn’t a bad thing in

my eyes. She was friendly and provided numerous recommendations, and returned to check on us several times.

The food took about 10 to 15 minutes to arrive but did not disappoint. The blend of ingredients mixed well together and each one tasted fresh and delicious. My only critique was that the fruit was mostly melons. When I left, I felt satisfied with the meal. I don’t know if I’d call it the best breakfast in town, but it was definitely one I would return to have. And with all the lunch options available, I’m sure I’ll visit First Watch again.

The second recommendation I received was Ruth’s Family Restaurant, located at 3843 Washington Road, Augusta Ga. between Davis Road and Bobby Jones Expressway. This place felt more like the kind of breakfast spot I frequented back home, only on a smaller scale.

I went with my brother the following Friday, late morning, and we received an immediate cheerful greeting. A waitress guided us to our booth and warmly went over some highlights from the menu. The number of choices was significantly less than at First Watch, but still provided a great variety of breakfast options.

By the time the waitress returned with my orange juice, I’d decided on the Country Breakfast, featuring two eggs any style with a choice of meat and bread and a side of hash browns, grits or home fries, plus a blueberry pancake on the side. I was glad to see such traditional offerings, and even happier that I could get an English muffin, double toasted, just how I like it.

The food came out very quickly, much to my brother and I’s surprise. Everything was just as we’d asked and tasted delicious. The hash browns were crispy and the pancake was light

and fluffy. What made breakfast even better was that the waitress continued to check on us with genuine interest. She made us feel welcome, more like we were guests in her house than patrons at her job. We were both pleased with the entire experience and look forward to our next return.

All in all, I’m thankful I received both recommendations. Although each restaurant encounter was unique and offered different breakfast options, I’m glad I tried both. I now have two new places I can visit with friends and family to enjoy good food and great service.

Both First Watch and Ruth’s Family Restaurant offer better breakfasts than most places I’ve tried around town, which, of course, has only piqued my curiosity. Are there other hidden gems I’ve missed in Augusta? If so, my search for the “best breakfast in town” may just be beginning.

The Country Breakfast at Ruth’s Family Restaurant, boasts two eggs any style with a choice of meat and bread and a side of hash browns, grits or home fries, with an option to add a pancake on the side. (photo by CM Wahl)

The Farmhouse Hash, featured at First Watch, offers a combination of bacon, seasoned potatoes, roasted onions and tomatoes, avocado, cheese, and eggs and is adorned with artisan toast and a side of fruit. (photo by CM Wahl)

Despite 37 points from Arnold, AU loses to rival USC Aiken in key PBC contest

By Carlos Rodriguez Sports editor

The Augusta University men’s basketball team fell to USC Aiken 95-85 on Wednesday night, Feb. 15, at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

The Pacers (11-4 18-7) completed a regular-season sweep of the Jaguars (114, 20-5) and drop-down AU into a second-place tie with them in the Peach Belt Conference standings. Both teams sit one-game behind North Georgia (12-3), and each will play the Nighthawks next week.

“This hurts our chances to win the regular season, but there’s still a lot of basketball left,” said AU Coach Dip Metress.

Despite the loss, AU’s Miguel Arnold scored a career-high 37 points, making six 3-pointers. Tyshaun Crawford added 16 points.

“We’re too reliant on Tyshaun and Miguel right now, and we’ve got to get other guys to think they can make a basket,” said Metress.

USC Aiken’s Tehree Horn and Jalen McCoy led the Pacers with 29 and 28 points, respectively.

“He (McCoy) went to his right shoulder and got jump hooks, got offensive rebounds for them; he was really good,” said Metress. “They had two players score 57 points. We knew about Horn and had a game plan for McCoy, but we just didn’t execute it.”

The Jaguars hosted their second annual Stuff the Stadium game, where fans throw stuffed animals onto the court after the first field goal make by Augusta.

A slow start didn’t give the Jags their first field goal until the 15:58 mark after Ja’Queze Kirby did a spin move and scored a layup.

Both teams exchanged leads several times throughout the next 10 minutes, but Aiken closed the final four minutes on a run. After being tied at 33 with 4:28 left, the Pacers went on a 14-2 run.

McCoy had an emphatic dunk after Tyler Johnson threw him an alley oop that he flushed down to give Aiken a 41-33 lead with 2:35 remaining.

Aiken’s Jameel Rideout closed out the half making a buzzer beater fading shot

from the right wing to put the Pacers up 47-35 at the break. Rideout finished with 14 points.

In the second half the Jaguars found momentum to get within striking distance of the Pacers. Several times the lead was cut to six, but Aiken kept finding answers. Augusta continued to fight back though, an and-one bucket by Crawford cut the Pacers lead to one, as they trailed 64-63 with 8:47 left.

The next possession Arnold hit a 3-pointer to give the Jaguars their first lead since the first half. Aiken called a timeout to regroup and came back onto the floor ready to regain the lead.

They ended up going on a 13-0 run. Rideout hit two back-to-back 3-pointers during the run, including a four-point play. A steal and layup finish by Horn put Aiken up 77-66 with 5:45 left, forcing Metress to call a timeout.

“We got a little out of sorts there, and they hit some big shots during that stretch,” Metress said. “We had a crucial turnover there and we just didn’t play well.”

The Pacers continued their hot streak led by Horn, who made shot after shot. He scored 20 points in the second half. Arnold kept firing for the Jags and connected on a couple shots but it wasn’t enough as Aiken ran away with the 95-85 victory, sweeping the regular season series with the Jags.

Augusta shot 41.8-percent from the field while Aiken shot 56.1-percent and was outrebounded by the Pacers 38-24.

“I told my team in there I take the blame,” said Metress. “I didn’t have them ready for this game, but we’ll have them ready for Flagler on Saturday.”

AU will play on the road at Flagler (6-9) on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 3:30. The Jaguars look to avenge the Saints, who gave them their first conference loss of the season last month.

These next few weeks will be very crucial for the Jaguars. With three games left, anything can change and these last three games will be important for seeding for the Peach Belt Conference tournament and also whether or not the Jags will

get to host the tournament for the second-straight year. After the Flagler game, AU will travel to North Georgia on Wednesday, Feb. 22, to play the Nighthawks for what could wind up being the top spot in the conference. USC Aiken and North Georgia will battle it out after that game on Saturday, Feb. 25 which could also be a deciding factor.

The Jaguars will host Clayton State (1-14) for the last regular season game on Saturday, Feb. 25. It’ll be Senior Day as all the seniors will be honored before the game.

These three games will be must wins for the Jaguars heading into the conference tournament which Starts March 2. The regular season champion will host the tournament.

Crawford, who’s averaging 22 points, the 14th-best in Division II, was named to the to Bevo Francis Top 50 Watch List. The list is comprised of the top players from across NCAA Division II and III, NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA. Check aubellringer.com for the latest update.

Miguel Arnold celebrates after knocking down one of his six 3-pointers in his career-high 37 point performance against USC Aiken.(photo by Madison Keel)

AU Softball off to undefeated start at home

By Josh Picklesimer Sports writer

Magic struck in the bottom of the eighth inning as Augusta University edged Newberry 4-3 to complete a doubleheader sweep of the Wolves on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Jaguar Softball Field.

The Jaguars, came in with a record of 2-2, and were looking to bounce back after they were swept by Francis Marion the previous weekend on the road.

Before the Francis Marion doubleheader, the Jaguars opened up the season with a doubleheader sweep over Catawba at home.

The first game for Augusta was dominated by right-handed pitcher Alissa Bolinger and third baseman Bailee Roberts.

Bolinger picked up the victory with six and twothirds innings of five-hit ball. The junior from Palmette (Ga.) made very few mistakes, as she gave up only one home run, to Newberry’s Hailey Hill in the fifth. The Wolves had some other scoring opportunities, but Roberts in particular made one good play after another at third base to keep the scoring down.

Hannah Turner, a freshman from Kennesaw, made her debut and recorded the

final out for Augusta.

Roberts led the Jags at the plate as she hit a grand slam in the fourth inning and had five RBI in the opener, wining 7-1.

The second game of the doubleheader was a tight affair. The starting pitcher for the Jags in the second game was Ansley Gibson, and the freshman from Evans, Ga., pitched very well. Gibson went all the way in the second game to secure the victory. Gibson allowed nine hits but only three runs. The standout freshman from Lakeside High School struck out two.

Augusta struggled getting Newberry outfielder Amber Alfonso out as she scored all three of Newberry’s runs in the second game.

At the plate, AU struggled early as Newberry pitcher Alexandrea Sullivan spun the ball very well in the first couple innings, causing the Jaguars to have to adjust.

Roberts, Paige Patterson and Bobbi Poff were all responsible for RBI for Augusta, making it 3-3 going into the seventh inning.

Gibson ran into trouble several times throughout the game but hunkered down and got herself out of trouble more often than not.

After seven innings of play, the game was still tied 3-3. Things got choppy for the Jags as the Wolves led the inning off with a bunt, and that resulted in a Wolves’ runner on third with one out.

Gibson then settled down as her defense behind her got the next to outs on a failed sacrifice bunt and pop-out to the second baseman.

Shortstop Shelbie Summerlin led off the eighth inning with a sacrifice bunt moving the extra-inning runner over from second to third.

With the game on the line, Grace Bridges stepped up to the plate. After taking the first pitch, she got a pitched she liked and hit it right back up the middle to give Augusta the 4-3 win on her game-winning RBI.

“I went up there, and I just choked and poked it,” Bridges said afterwards.

“That’s what I do, and it felt great to go out there and get this win for my team.”

Next on the schedule for the Jags were Chowan University. The Jaguars hosted the Hawks for a doubleheader on Tuesday, Feb. 14, winning both games.

Poff hit two home runs and had five hits, five RBI and three runs to lead the AU.

The sophomore second baseman hit the two homers in an 11-3 victory in the opener. She then had two hits in the second game, a 4-3 Jaguar win in eight innings.

Patterson also homered and had four RBI for AU in the opener, and Grace Bridges and Lauren Slade each had four hits for the Jaguars. Bolinger was the winner on the mound. She allowed three runs on six hits. She struck out six.

In the second game, Gibson got the win with three innings of no-hit ball. Turner started and allowed three runs on six hits in five innings.

Patterson started the bottom of the eighth on second base and advanced to third one Roberts’ sacrifice. Lauren Evens then hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Patterson with the game-winning run.

Roberts had three hits in seven at-bats in the doubleheader.

Chowan was led by Mckenzie Wisenheimer, who went 3 for 5 in the two games.

AU swept their next opponent in perennial power Anderson University on Thursday, Feb. 16, at Jaguar Softball field.

It gave AU their sixth straight win. No. 12 An-

derson had its first two losses of the season after 10 straight wins.

Bolinger (4-1) pitched a four-hitter to win the opener 4-1. Poff homered for Augusta.

“Bobbi has been a great addition to our team.,” AU Coach Melissa Brocato said. “She came in in January to help fill a need for more depth in the middle infield. She is doing a great job on both sides of the game and has been a great fit off the field as well.”

In the second game, the Jaguars (8-2) won 10-7 as Slade led the way with a 4-for-4 game. Paige Patterson went 3 for 4 and Bailee Roberts 2 for 4 for the home team.

Evens hit a three-run homer for AU in the sixth inning. The Jags scored five runs in the sixth to put the game away.

Turner relieved Gibson and pitched one-hit ball for two innings. Gibson (4-1) was credited with the victory.

“(Assistant) Coach (Brianna) Strickland calls our games and has a great relationship with our pitchers and catcher and really has them buying in and working hard,” Brocato said.

AU played Belmont Abbey on Feb. 18.

AU hurler Ansley Gibson, a Lakeside High School product, pitched all eight innings of a 4-3 victory over Newberry in a non-conference softball game. (photo by Madison Keel)

AU women’s basketball avenges USC Aiken with 40-point win

By Carlos Rodriguez Sports editor

The Augusta University women’s basketball team had their best offensive outing this season against USC Aiken on Wednesday night, Feb. 15 at Christenberry Fieldhouse, defeating the Pacers 92-52.

The Jaguars (16-9, 9-6) shot the best they have all season from the field, shooting 63.6-percent, while holding the Pacers (15-10, 9-6) to 36.7-percent. They outscored Aiken each quarter.

Last time both teams met in Aiken, the Pacers were victorious, defeating the Jags 68-52. Aiken had several players in double figures that outing, but this time around the Pacers only had one player in double figures.

“That first go around we did not play up to our potential, we were a different team,” said AU Coach Celeste Stewart. “I remember telling our players as we were leaving the floor at Aiken ‘Remember this moment and use it as fuel for the rest of our season,’ and I feel like we’ve been doing that.”

With the win, Augusta moved up into a three-way tie for second place in the Peach Belt Conference standings with USC Aiken

and Clayton State. Georgia Southwestern is ahead by three games at 12-3, while Columbus State and North Georgia sit a game behind Augusta, Aiken and Clayton State at 8-7.

Stewart spoke about the importance of the win and moving up in the conference standings.

“It was huge, we talk about defending home court and thankfully we had another opportunity to play them here,” said Stewart. “I think it’s also a continuous confidence builder. I think we’re clicking and peaking at the right moment, so I’m just hoping we can continue to do that.”

Augusta was led by Kennedi Manning in the win with 26 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Manning is currently first in the PBC in blocks per game at 1.5, and second in rebounding with 8.8.

“Kennedi is a special player and I think for her I just want to keep challenging her,” said Stewart.

“She’s been responding to the challenge. Teams are typically doubling, tripling and quadruple teaming her night in and night out, so it’s good to see her in some one-on-one coverage but understand that she

has to make an impact on the game more than just scoring. She’s been blocking shots and rebounding well.”

Tomiyah Alford scored 24 for AU and grabbed six rebounds. Alford has flourished this season in a new role from the previous season. She’s playing double the number of minutes she did last season and increased her scoring average from 4.9 to 13.4 this season, leading the team in scoring and good for seventh-best in the PBC.

“I think she (Alford) has always been capable of what she’s doing now,” said Stewart. “She does so many things for our team outside of scoring. She can play one through four, sometimes she’s in there guarding the five and she can be undersized at times but because of her effort and her energy and work ethic it’s just outstanding. I’m just glad to have her apart of what we’re doing.”

Mone Florence and Jebria Fullwood also scored in double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively. This team has depth has been off the charts this season with different players stepping up to lead.

“It’s a team effort I’ve always talked about that

from the very beginning,” said Stewart. “It’s going to take a collective effort for us to get where we want to go. It’s not going to be the same people every single night and I think that’s what makes our team special. You never know who’s night it’s going to be and our players being able to respond and step up in those moments is huge.”

The Jaguars jumped out to a 10-2 lead after only three minutes of play with the help of four points from Alford and Manning each and two from Kiera Howard. By the end of the quarter, Manning stretched their lead to 10 with a free throw make giving them a 23-13 lead.

Aiken’s Emily Trushel got it going in the second quarter, knocking down a couple shots for the Pacers to try and cut the deficit. She was Aiken’s lone double-digit scorer with 18.

Howard propelled a 14-0 run for the Jags after converting a fastbreak and-one layup at the 5:31 mark. The run closed with fourstraight free throws from Florence to go up 46-23. At the half AU was up 48-25.

That second quarter really put the nail in the coffin as it had Aiken dug in a deep hole and the Jags were

not letting up, outscoring Aiken in the second half as well 44-27.

“It was a fun game to coach, just seeing our players have that success after all the hard work and challenges we had to overcome,” said Stewart.

The win also gives Augusta their 16th win of the season, which is the most wins in a season for the program since the 201516 season where they won 24 games. It’s Stewart first year in the interim head coach position after previous coach Millette Green’s departure to Wake Forest and she’s helped lead this team in the right direction.

“I’ve been taking it day by day, I’ve had a great support system throughout this season,” said Stewart. “Coach Green is a mentor to me, till this day we stay connected. When she was here, we always talked about we have to build the foundation and continue to work to build the culture. Coach Green laid the foundation down and now we’re starting to see the reward of it.”

The Jags traveled to St. Augustine, Fla., to play Flagler (3-12) on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Head to aubellringer.com for the latest update.

Kiera Howard drives the ball past USC Aiken’s Hailey Unger in the Jags 40-point blowout victory. (photo by Madison Keel)