Grand slam Sunday: Jaguars blast two, sweep Coker
By Rodrigo Burgos Avila | Editor in chief
After Friday’s doubleheader against North Greenville was canceled due to weather, Augusta softball returned to action on Sunday Feb. 22 and didn’t miss a beat, sweeping Coker in dominant fashion.
Game One: Parker flips the game with one wwing
The opener turned on one inning, and one swing.
The Cobras grabbed the early momentum in the third inning with an RBI single to take the lead. But Augusta answered immediately and emphatically.
Eden Parker stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and launched a grand slam, instantly turning a deficit into a 4-1 advantage. Chesney Miles, Grace Bailey, and Sam Tener all crossed the plate as the Jags seized control.
Coker scratched across another run in the sixth to cut the lead to 4-2, but the Jaguars’ pitching held steady the rest of the way.
Madalyn Spinks earned the win after throwing six strong innings, allowing two runs while striking out five. Kristyn Ezzo closed the door in the seventh, recording the save and striking out two to secure the victory.
Game Two: Second-inning surge seals the sweep
If game one was about one swing, game two was about one explosive inning.
All nine of Augusta’s runs came in the second inning in a frame that completely overwhelmed Coker.
The rally started with pressure on the bases and quickly snowballed. Ansley Gibson delivered a two-run single up the middle to give Augusta the lead, then later scored as the Jaguars continued to capitalize on defensive miscues.
Payton Terrell added an RBI on a fielder’s choice. Victoria Oropeza ripped a two-run double down the left field line. Then Gibson came back up and crushed a three-run homer to cap the inning, finishing the frame with six RBI in a dominant performance at the plate.
By the time the dust settled, Augusta had built a commanding 9-0 lead, all in one inning.
Gibson also earned the win in the circle, improving to 3-2 on the season after pitching four innings. Parker entered in relief to finish the final inning and close out the shutout.
The Jaguars now turn their attention to Erskine College, as they will travel to Due West, SC to face them on Tuesday Feb. 24 for a doubleaheader. First pitches are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m..
Contact Rodrigo Burgos Avila at rburgosavila@augusta.edu.
Shortstop Grace Bailey (batting) goes for the bunt. The sophomore had got walked twice against the Cobras, using her smart vision to get on base.
At the top of the page, Eden Parker (2) fields a ball coming to left field. Parker hit a grand slam to flip the script against Coker in the first game of the doubleheader. (photos by Rodrigo Burgos Avila/the Bell Ringer)
Eden Parker (2) is greeted at home plate by her teammates after clubbing a grand slam home run on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Jaguar Softball Field. (photo by Isaiah Allen/special to the Bell Ringer)
