Lady Jaguars upset No. 10 Francis Marion in doubleheader opener

By Rodrigo Burgos Avila | Editor in chief

The Augusta University softball team opened its doubleheader in statement fashion Saturday, knocking off No. 10 Francis Marion 3–2 to hand the Patriots their first loss of the season at the newly renovated Jaguar Field.

The Jaguars struck early in the second inning when Sydney Gilbert singled to center field, driving in Teagan Hinson to give Augusta a 1–0 lead. Francis Marion responded in the fourth with an unearned run on a sacrifice fly to tie the game, but Augusta quickly answered back in the bottom half of the inning.

Gilbert came through again, delivering her second RBI single of the game to score Chesney Miles and put the Jaguars back in front, 2–1. Augusta added what proved to be the decisive run in the sixth when Hinson lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Payton Terrell to score and extend the lead to 3–1.

In the circle, Ansley Gibson was dominant, going the distance for Augusta. The right-hander out of Evans, Ga allowed just three hits and one earned run while striking out three to earn the win and improve to 1–0 on the season. Francis Marion threatened late, cutting the deficit to one with a solo home run courtesy of Rylie Webster in the seventh, but Gibson shut the door to secure the upset victory. For the Patriots Alyssa Boston assumed the loss.

More coverage from the Lady Jaguars’ doubleheader against Francis Marion will follow.

Contact Rodrigo Burgos Avila at rburgosavila@augusta.edu.