AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Anderson University softball team had a successful season debut, sweeping Peach Belt Conference-foe Augusta State, 5-0 and 9-2, Saturday afternoon at the AU Soccer Field.

The season-opener for both teams saw Trojan junior Lauren Bell post a no-hitter in her debut in the circle for the Black and Gold. Game one saw no score through six innings in a pitcher's duel, with each team leaving multiple runners on base.

ASU freshman Paige Deschaine lasted into the seventh with no runs allowed, until Anderson's offense came alive. AU junior Abby Child hit a solo home run to left- center for the first score of the game. Junior Laura Jansky followed with another homer to left field and sophomore Rebecca Martin continued the inning with a double.

ASU freshman Kristen Mills took over the circle in the seventh. She got the first Trojan batter to ground out, but an infield error scored Martin and Bell followed by blasting a two-run homer to left center. The Trojans took a game-ending 5-0 lead in the seventh off six hits and one error. Deschaine took the loss, while Anderson's Bell got the win, going the full seven innings without allowing a hit.

Freshman lefty Haley Birkle started game two for ASU, going seven innings and surrendering eight AU hits in the 9-2 Trojan victory. Junior Bailey Smith got the win for Anderson, pitching the complete game and giving up four hits and one earned run.

AU went up 7-0 after the third and tacked on two more later.

Anderson will look to build early-season momentum when the Trojans return to the friendly confines of Smethers Field for their home-opening twinbill versus Conference Carolinas-foe Lees-McRae on Sunday. First-pitch versus the Bobcats is slated for 1 p.m.