AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta State used great pitching and enough offense to take both games of their home opener against Erksine in non-conference action Tuesday at Jaguar Field, 7-1 in the first game and 3-1 in the nightcap.
ASU improved to 5-1 with the two wins, while Erskine dropped to 1-5.
In the first game, the Jags opened with one run in the second, and tacked on three more in the third on an EC throwing error, an RBI groundout, and Kacee Camp's RBI single through the right side to bring home Kristen Jones for all the runs ASU would need.
Augusta State tacked on three more in the fifth, two on Jones' two-RBI gapper that brought Hannah Vaughn and Jessica Thornton home.
Emily Headrick tossed five innings of three-hit ball to improve to 3-1 on the year, and Laura Brown took care of the rest as the pitching staff limited the Flying Fleet to just five hits overall.
The teams traded scoreless innings through the first five before Augusta State jumped on the board. With two outs, Lauren Yeargan hit a comebacker to the mound that careened off the pitcher's leg for single. Laura Brown dragged a surprise bunt past an outstretched glove to the right side for a hit, allowing Yeargan to advance to third.
That set up Molly Walton's RBI single up the middle to bring both runs home and give ASU a 2-0 lead.
Erskine fought back, getting a run in the top of the sixth on Larissa Shannon's bomb down the right field line. But the Jags responded with a double, a sacrifice bunt, and an RBI single to bring Vaughn home for the final margin.
Heather Sexton got her first collegiate win in relief, going two and a third of an inning, giving up four hits and just one earned run. Headrick shut the Flying Fleet down for the final five outs, stranding two Erksine baserunners in the top of the sixth for her first save of the year.
The Jags return to the diamond this weekend in the Charger Chillout hosted by Alabama-Huntsville Friday, February 17 against Missouri-St. Louis at 10:30 a.m.
ASU's next home date is March 3 when they host St. Andrews in non-conference action; first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.