ELLISVILLE – Under the direction of first-year head coach Tori Dew, the 17th-ranked Jones College softball team split its opening weekend in Panama City, Florida.

Jones, 2-2, dropped both games Friday before bouncing back Saturday with a pair of wins.

The Bobcats open a six-game homestand Friday, Feb. 9 against Snead State.

Lurleen B. Wallace 8, Jones 5

In a surprising loss to Lurleen B. Wallace on Friday, the Saints rallied from 5-0 down in the fifth with eight unanswered for the win. 

Jayden Sawyer allowed just two hits in 5.1 innings of work, but walked five, hit two and threw six wild pitches that allowed LBW to climb back in it. Ava Prejean took the loss in 1.2 innings of relief, allowing four runs on five hits.

Elise Jackson had two of Jones' six hits and drove in a pair. Kaleigh Steverson added a double and Makynlie Jones a triple.

Gulf Coast State 2, Jones 1

Reanna Nieman tossed a complete-game in the circle and allowed just single runs in the second and third but couldn't get enough help at the plate.

Meredith Fontenot had Jones' only hit and Brooklynn Montana drove in the lone run in the fifth.

Jones 10, Lurleen B. Wallace 1 (5 inn.)

Montana's solo homer to left to lead off the game and three-run shot in the third set the tone for a run-rule victory for the Bobcats and Dew's first win as head coach.

Eight different Bobcats had a hit, including four with multiple hits.

Jones plated six in the third to put the game out of reach. Madelyn Chennault and MaKayla Blakeney hit back-to-back RBI-doubles before Montana's three-run shot.

Nieman went 3.2 for the win, striking out six. Gracey Harbour allowed one run on one hit in 1.1 relief.

Jones 5, Gulf Coast State 0

Jayden Sawyer tossed a complete-game, three-hit shutout for her first collegiate win and Jones was able to avenge Friday's loss to the Commodores.

Fontenot was 3-for-4 and Steverson 2-for-3 for all five of Jones' hits.