The Swainsboro Lady Tigers opened up the 2026 softball season on Tuesday August 4th at the Emanuel County Recreation Department dropping the opener by a score of 3-2 to the class 5-A Statesboro Blue Devils. The game was a pitcher’s duel and featured some fine defensive plays by both teams. Freshman Anna Grace Scarborough opened up the game in the circle for Swainsboro and pitched five and one-third innings. She was then relieved by senior Hillary Garvin who closed out the game. The two Lady Tiger pitchers combined to allow three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two Blue Devil batters. The Lady Tiger defense also turned in a great effort. They played error free ball and turned two double plays on the evening. The problem for Swainsboro was that Statesboro also pitched well holding the Tiger offense to just two runs on six hits. A.G. Scarborough recorded two singles in the game and Jennifer Hernandez, Lily Hudson, Aubrey Roberts, and Kyleigh Hostilo each had a hit for the Lady Tigers.
The Lady Tigers returned to the recreation department on Thursday to host the Metter Tigers but Mother Nature eventually prevailed. The game never got started due to multiple lightening delays and was rescheduled for Monday September 14.
On Saturday morning, the Lady Tigers loaded the bus and headed out to Patriots Park just outside of Augusta to play in the annual Harlem Fall Classic. The Lady Tigers played pretty well despite mid-90’s temperatures and high humidity. In game one, the Lady Tigers faced the Washington-Wilkes Tigers. Swainsboro jumped out to an 8-0 lead and held on for a 9-4 victory. Starting pitcher Anna Grace Scarborough picked up the first win of her varsity career in the game. She and Hillary Garvin combined to allow four runs on four hits and recorded six strikeouts in the game. Lily Hudson (2 RBI), Kyleigh Hostilo (2 RBI), Hillary Garvin (2 RBI), Jennifer Hernandez, Kabreigh Hostilo, Brooklynn Peebles, and Stella Marsh each picked up a hit in the Swainsboro victory.
In the second game of the day, the Lady Tigers faced the Grovetown Warriors. For those who don’t know, Grovetown has become a class 6-A softball powerhouse, averaging over 27 wins per year over the last three years. Lady Tiger freshman Ashlyn Turner started the game in the circle for Swainsboro. Heading to the top of the fifth inning, Swainsboro trailed Grovetown by a score of 4-1 but Grovetown added three runs on three singles in the inning and eventually put the game out of reach for the Lady Tigers. Turner was pitching a great game in her varsity debut but was forced to leave the game in the sixth inning after she took a line drive off of her shin. The final score on the hot and muggy afternoon was Warriors 12- Lady Tigers 2. Anna Grace Scarborough, Kyleigh Hostilo, and Kabreigh Hostilo each had a hit for the Lady Tigers.
On Monday August 10, the Lady Tigers returned home to face the Cross Creek Razorbacks. Swainsboro came out a little sluggish but held a 2-0 lead at the end of two innings of play. The Lady Tiger offense finally came to life in the bottom of the third. With the help of five walks, the Lady Tigers pounded out nine hits and scored 13 runs before the Razorbacks could record the third out of the inning. Up by 15 runs in the third inning, the umpires called the game due to the GHSA mercy rule. Kyleigh Hostilo (3-3, 3 RBI), Jennifer Hernandez (2-2, BB, 3 RBI), and Lily Hudson (2-2, HBP) led the Lady Tigers at the plate. A.G. Scarborough, Brooklynn Peebles, Ariel Tapley, Hillary Garvin, and Stella Kate Marsh also chipped in with a hit. Scarborough went the distance in the circle pitching three innings allowing no runs on three hits. She also allowed no walks and collected five strikeouts in the complete game shutout.
The Lady Tigers will be back in action on Thursday (Aug. 13) at the Emanuel County Recreation Department when they host the Toombs County Bulldogs at 6pm. They will then hit the road to Hephzibah to face the GSIC Patriots on Tuesday the 18th at 5:30pm. The Lady Tigers will be playing their home games at the recreation department until the softball field renovations are complete at Swainsboro High School.
