GREENVILLE, Tenn. – Augusta State used strong pitching efforts and enough offense to secure two victories over Shephard and Kentucky Wesleyan in day two of the Pioneer Classic hosted by Tusculum.
The Jaguars improve to 9-5 on the season with the two wins.
In game one against Shephard, ASU struck first, putting two on in the top half of the third on a fielding error to bring Kacee Camp and Hannah Vaughn home for an early 2-0 margin. The Jags tacked on another in the next frame, as Jessica Thornton singled, stole second, and scored on consecutive sacrifice bunts by Molly Walton and Renae Kimbell.
Shephard tightened things up with one apiece in the fifth and sixth innings, but Kaitlin Harris' sac fly to right scored Camp from third for a bit of breathing room.
Heather Hughes hurled six innings to improve to 3-1 on the year, giving up just one earned run on six hits while striking out five. Heather Sexton notched a 1-2-3 seventh for her first collegiate save.
In game two, the Jags took the lead early with a two spot in the second. Thornton singled and stole second, advancing to third on a throwing error by the pitcher off a bunt and scoring on a sacrifice bunt by Kimbell. Emily Headrick, pinch-running for Macy Terry, came around two plays later on Laura Brown's single and ensuing misplay by the left fielder.
The margin was plenty for Headrick, who threw her second shutout in as many days, going five strong and giving up just six hits. She struck out five while walking just one, increasing her scoreless-inning streak to 14 straight dating back to February 18. Heather Sexton came in in relief, throwing two more scoreless innings and allowing just one baserunner to seal the win.
Thornton led the Jaguars offensively, going 3-for-6 and scoring three times on the day. She also drove in two and stole three bases.
ASU next heads to Carrollton, Georgia to take on West Georgia in non-conference action Friday, March 2 before hosting St. Andrews Saturday, March 3 at Jaguar Field beginning at 1:00 p.m.