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.