Newberry Outlasts Jags, 13-9

Newberry Outlasts Jags, 13-9

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta State allowed a season-high 20 hits from five pitchers in the 13-9 loss to Newberry in a non-conference game Wednesday night at Lake Olmstead.

ASU (10-18) starter Josh Barks beamed his first Newberry (17-13) batter of the game, but settled down with his team producing four runs in the first inning to take a 4-1 lead. Hunter Boose ripped his 15th double of the season to lead off the game and Logan South's liner through the left side scored the first RBI.

Pinch-runner Clay Tucker scored on a wild pitch and a walk brought in a new Wolves pitcher. ASU added three by the fourth, but Newberry notched five off Barks to bring in Jags slinger Aaron Lewis. Barks went 3.1 for six runs (five earned) off eight hits and two strikeouts. Lewis gave up an RBI-single in the sixth to make it an 8-7 ASU lead.

The Wolves tied the game at eight-all on a first and third groundout that scored the man on third and took the lead off reliever Trey McAvoy. McAvoy (0-3) went 1.0 innings for two runs on three hits, before Tyler Ross relieved in the eighth to give an RBI-double to put the Wolves up 9-8.

Newberry took the night 13-9 with Cole Cromer (3-2) earning the win in 3.0 innings with two strikeouts. Crown went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and Boose was 4-for-5 with two runs, while Jeff Rice was 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.

ASU plays a Peach Belt Conference series at Georgia College starting on Saturday, March 23 in Milledgeville, Ga.