BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Another historical moment was etched in the University of West Georgia history on Friday morning as the Wolves softball team opened their inaugural Division I season with a 15-1 run-rule victory over the Drexel Dragons to notch their first win in the DI era.

"What a way to open up our 2025 season and Division I opening day," said an elated head coach Kristy Burton following the first game of the Runnin' Bulldog Classic. "Our bats came alive right away and stayed alive through all five innings allowing us to score every inning."

West Georgia put the petal to the metal early and never let up as they pounded out 15 runs on 15 hits. The defense also got the memo to come out red hot as Calli Hardison pitched a four-hitter and the defense played error-free in the win.

In the opening inning, West Georgia pushed across six runs as Megan Waites singled to lead it off, followed by a Blaire Bizette and a triple from Jenna Samuel who tripled home both baserunners. Addison Sturdivant picked up an RBI with a double, as did Madison Vandergriff, and the final run of the inning came in as Zekylah Boyd had an RBI bunt single.

A two-out walk and a double in the bottom half provided Drexel their only run of the game, as Hardison settled in after the opening inning.

UWG added four runs in the second inning as Waites led off with a double, and after back-to-back walks to load the bases, an error would clear the bases, and then Makayla Register drove in the Wolves' 10th run of the game.

Register picked up two more RBIs in the third, doubling home Samuel and Kristen Fowler to make it 12-1.

After Hardison got out of jam unscathed in the third, Shelby Garrett belted West Georgia's first home run of the Division I era in the fourth inning. The Wolves added on two more in the fifth, as Ally Long drove in the first RBI of her collegiate career, scoring fellow freshman Olivia Slocumb who recorded her first career collegiate hit to lead off the frame. Senior Jacelyn Lahr would score the 15th run on a wild pitch.

Hardison picked up the complete game win, striking out three.

Offensively, Sturdivant led with three hits, while Waites and Register each had two. Register, along with Jenna Samuel, would each record three RBIs.

"It was a full team effort to close out of first win of the year," Burton added. "Calli did and outstanding job finding the zone and keeping Drexel's hitters off balance while our defense stepped up and shut them down. This team's energy and love for the game is undeniable we can't wait to bring this in to our next game."

NOTABLE NUMBERS
- The complete game victory was the eighth complete game of Hardison's career.
- Four different Wolves recorded their first hit in a UWG uniform: Kristen Fowler, Olivia Slocumb, Jenna Samuel, and Shelby Garrett.
- It was the fourth game of sophomore Makayla Register's career in which she has recorded three or more RBIs.

NEXT UP
West Georgia is back on the diamond in Boiling Springs, N.C. at approximately 3 p.m. this afternoon, taking on Gardner-Webb.