Jacksonville, Florida-The Edward Waters softball squad made their long awaited return home to the friendly confines of J. Gardner "Nip" Sams Park on Tuesday afternoon for a non-conference doubleheader and first ever meeting with the Mighty Banyans of New College of Florida. The Lady Tigers made the most of their return home, rolling to a sweep of the doubleheader and opening their five game homestand off on the right note.

GAME ONE: Edward Waters 4, New College 0:
Game one of the doubleheader proved to be a bit more challenging for Edward Waters as they had to hold off a solid effort from the first year program based out of Sarasota, Florida. Despite leaving eight runners on base in the contest, the Lady Tigers did just enough to earn the win.

The scoring started in the bottom of the first inning when Brooke Rice was able to earn an RBI off of an NCF error to give the Purple & Orange a 1-0 lead. Edward Waters doubled their advantage in the bottom of the second thanks to a bases loaded walk to Katie Goodin. In the home half of the fifth, a Kylah Gardner RBI double to right field added another EWU run and a final insurance run was added in the bottom of the sixth on Goodin's RBI double.

Goodin led the Lady Tiger efforts, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Jodasea Peterson picked up her 10th win of the season in the circle, going 7.0 innings and striking out two.

GAME TWO: Edward Waters 12, New College 7:
The offensive firepower was on full display for both teams in Game Two as the Lady Tigers and Mighty Banyans combined for 19 runs. Six runs for EWU in the bottom of the second and four more in the bottom of the sixth proved to be pivotal in the five run victory.

RBI groundouts from Jade Mention and Brooke Rice opened the scoring for Edward Waters, allowing them to take a 2-0 lead. New College had their response in the top of the second inning with two runs coming home of their own to tie the contest up at 2-2. The first big inning for EWU came in the bottom of the second. An RBI double from Caitlynne Lamug, a Katie Goodin RBI double, a Jade Mention RBI single, and a two-run homer from Brooke Rice gave Edward Waters what appeared to be a commanding lead at 8-2.

The Mighty Banyans were able to cut the deficit down to one over the next four innings. Two runs in the third and single runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings made it an 8-7 lead for Edward Waters. The Lady Tigers provided some much needed insurance for themselves in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of a Goodin RBI single, and Rice smacking her second homer of the contest, a three-run shot to give EWU a 12-7 lead that they would see through to victory.

Goodin once again led EWU at the plate going 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, and three runs scored, while Rice exploded going 2-for-3 with two home runs, six RBI's, and two runs scored. Victory in the circle went to Shai-Ann Currie who went 4.0 innings, allowed three earned runs, and struck out one. Jasmine Finuff earned a save in relief as well for EWU.

Edward Waters will return to SIAC play on Thursday, March 21st at 1:00pm as they begin a three-game series with rival Allen University at J. Gardner "Nip" Sams Park.

Follow the Tigers
For complete coverage of Edward Waters University Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @EWU_Athletics (Twitter), /EWUTigers (Facebook) and @EWU_Athletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Edward Waters Athletics at EWUTigerPride.com