Story by Robert Magobet
ANDERSON, S.C. – The Augusta University baseball team split a doubleheader with the Anderson University Trojans on Saturday, Feb. 18 in Anderson, S.C., at Memorial Stadium.
The Jaguars (3-5) outhit the Trojans 15-7, earning the 13-3 win in game one. Dealing for seven innings was right-handed pitcher Tristan Jones (2-1), who earned a win, and gave up just three earned runs, six hits and two walks.
This game was never in question as the Jaguars dominated in all facets early and often. The onslaught began in the first inning thanks to Clint Hardy, who singled up the middle bringing in Jamal Cummings. The team would go on to score one run in each of the next two innings, bringing the score to 3-0 in the third inning.
The bulk of the damage was done in the fourth inning, as the Jags batted around scoring seven runs in the inning. Cody Lanford started the incursion as he bunted for a single, but was then able to advance to second base due to a throwing error by Trojan pitcher Ryan Owens. Adam Spurlin advanced to third and Cole Janousek scored an unearned run making the score 4-0 Jaguars.
Ty Hobbs, who went 3-4 with five ribbies on the day, scorched the ball to left center field, allowing Lanford and Spurlin to score. Right after Hobbs was caught stealing, leading to Hobbs scoring, Jim Wagner hit a three-run homerun, which made the score 10-0 in the fourth.
Jaguar coach Chris Howell said Wagner has performed all season.
"He's persevered all season long," Howell said. "That was big for us when the offense can keep pushing and keep putting up runs, and that's definitely big for the pitchers."
The Trojans plated three runs in the seventh inning, but the game was well out of reach as the Jaguars were on top 12-3. With one more run scored in the eighth inning, the Jaguars were able to secure the victory 13-3. Wagner went 2-5 with four RBI.
In game two, both teams had seven hits, but the Jags were just unable to score anything to show for it as the final score for the second game was 5-1. Both Wagner and Cole Janousek logged five hits total, but it was Trojan pitcher Chris Ayers who was able to lock in, striking out seven batters and giving up no earned runs.
Left-handed pitcher Matthew Kuhlenberg had a pair of strikeouts in his four innings pitched and Chase Slone threw a pair of innings.
The Jaguars host Anderson on Sunday, Feb, 19 for a 2:00 p.m. single game at Lake Olmstead Stadium.
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