Augusta sweeps Catawba in season opener

GAME 1:

CATAWBA FINAL SCORE: 0

AUGUSTA FINAL SCORE: 11

GAME 2:

CATAWBA FINAL SCORE: 1

AUGUSTA FINAL SCORE: 5

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – The Catawba Softball team opened their 2023 season in rocky fashion on the road, losing both games in Georgia against the Augusta Jaguars. Catawba (0-2) got off to a rough start in the opening five inning game against Augusta (2-0), and although they managed to stay alive in the second game they ultimately fell again, this time in seven innings.

After a scoreless first inning to open Game 1, Augusta racked up seven runs in the 2nd to blow the game open through a combination of hitting and errors. A pair of doubles from Bobbi Poff and Lauren Slade helped put five runs on the board and Bailee Roberts wrapped up the inning with a home run for the seventh run of the frame. The Jaguars' last four runs came in the 4th inning, with Roberts crushing a second home run for the first two runs and another double from Lauren Barrett capping the game off to make it 11-0.

Catawba's two hits came courtesy of Courtnee Carter and Madison Taylor, while Alexandra Baquie pitched 1.2 innings and Emma Zieg finished out the last 2.1 innings. Baquie took the loss, while for Augusta Alissa Bolinger pitched all five shutout innings for the Jaguars and came away with the win after six strikeouts.

Game 2 saw Catawba improve at the plate with six hits, with Christina Brendle putting them on the board with a solo shot in the 6th inning for Catawba's first run of the new season. That would be all for the Indians however, with Augusta notching nine hits and another excellent performance on the mound to notch their second win of the day. A sacrifice fly from Paige Patterson allowed Grace Bridges to open the scoring in the 3rd inning, and the next inning saw Lauren Slade drive in a pair of runs and another sacrifice fly extend the lead to 4-0.

Augusta's final run came in response to Brendle, with Paige Patterson again helping drive in a run to make it 5-1. Ansley Gibson pitched all seven innings for the Jaguars, striking out eight batters to earn her first win of the season. For Catawba, Savannah Beaver pitched the opening 3.1 innings and took her first loss of the season, while Alexandra Baquie closed out the final 2.2 innings.

Catawba will have the chance to bounce back quickly on their season opening road trip as they head to USC Aiken for another double header, beginning at 1:00PM on Sunday, February 5th.