FLORENCE, S.C. – Peach Belt Conference competition broke open for the Jaguars on Friday at Francis Marion and the Augusta Jaguars gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth to fall 2-1.
Augusta (4-6, 0-1 PBC) met Francis Marion (12-1, 1-0 PBC) in game one of the three-game series and had a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the ninth.
In his fourth start of the season, senior Tristan Jones (2-2) held the Patriots scoreless until their last scheduled at bat when they knocked four hits for two runs. Jones struck out
The first five batters in the Jaguar lineup all had a hit. Senior Jamal Cummings, junior Jim Wagner, seniors Cody Lanford and Tyler Roberts, and sophomore Will Zimmer compiled for the five Augusta hits.
Lanford led off the third inning with a double up the middle. Junior Ty Hobbs brought him to second on a sacrifice bunt and senior Tyler Roberts delivered an RBI single through the left side for a 1-0 Augusta lead.
The Jaguars remained ahead by one. They loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the eighth, but the Patriots pitched out of the inning to stay down by one.
Jones hit the FMU leadoff man to begin the bottom of the eighth which sparked a mound visit from head coach Chris Howell. Jones came right back to get three outs and keep the advantage intact for the Jags.
Four hits in the ninth gave FMU the comeback win. Antonio Pino was 3-4 with a run and Zach Paquette and Tee Dubose all had two hits.
The PBC series rolls along with single games at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 25-26.
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.AugustaJags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags
-- 30 --