Solid Start for Jaguars, But Late Comeback Falls Short in Second Game
The Augusta Jaguars kicked off their 2025 softball season on a high note, taking an exciting 10-5 victory over North Greenville in the first game of their season-opening doubleheader on Saturday. However, the Jaguars’ momentum faltered in Game 2, where they came up just short in a 4-2 loss.
Augusta Dominates Early in Game 1
It didn’t take long for the Jaguars to make their presence known in the opener. In the top of the first inning, Augusta wasted no time taking the lead when Cadance Winder launched a two-run homer to left field, sending Bobbi Poff home after she walked to get on base. The early lead set the tone for the rest of the game.
By the fifth inning, North Greenville had made a push to narrow the gap, but Augusta wasn’t having it. Ayellad Howard led off the inning with a bunt single, followed by an RBI single from Winder, which helped trim the deficit. Payton Terrell kept the offense rolling with another RBI single to make it a one-run game, building the excitement.
But the real turning point came in the sixth inning when Augusta’s offense came alive. With Sophie Baker’s sacrifice fly bringing home two runs and a wild pitch adding another, the Jaguars surged ahead. Bailee Roberts added an insurance RBI single to further extend their advantage, and Augusta wasn’t done yet.
In the seventh, the Jaguars added three more runs. Winder drove in two with a clutch single, and Kelsea Moody followed suit with an RBI hit to put the game out of reach for North Greenville.
Madalyn Spinks shone in relief, throwing four scoreless innings while allowing only three hits and striking out two. Winder’s three RBIs led the offense, and Howard and Moody each had two hits to keep things moving.
Game 2: Jaguars Fall Short in Late Rally
Game 2 started much like the first, with Augusta striking first. Poff singled to lead off the third inning and later scored when Winder laced an RBI double to left field. The Jaguars seemed poised to carry their momentum from the first game into the second, but North Greenville’s pitching kept Augusta’s offense at bay.
Despite some threats, including a rally in the fifth with Poff and Roberts reaching base and Moody adding a single, Augusta could not extend their lead. With a 4-1 deficit in the seventh inning, the Jaguars made one last push. Roberts drew a walk, and Moody followed with an RBI double to cut the deficit to 4-2. However, the comeback was short-lived, as Augusta couldn’t push across the tying run.
Ansley Gibson took the mound for Augusta, working five solid innings and allowing just four hits. Moody’s two-hit performance, including a double, led the offense, while Winder’s RBI double also contributed to the Jaguars’ efforts.
Looking Ahead
The Jaguars (1-1) will be back on their home field for a doubleheader against Catawba on Sunday, February 3. The games will be held at 12 p.m. at Jaguar Field, where Augusta will look to bounce back and regain the momentum from their season-opening win.
