AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta State used timely hitting and strong pitching to take both games of a doubleheader against Le Moyne Thursday at Jaguar Field and extend their winning streak to nine.
In game one, ASU (15-5) jumped on the board immediately, getting three runs in the first and one in the second. Kacee Camp started things off with a single, moving to second on Molly Walton's infield hit. Kristen Jones' groundout moved both runners over, allowing Camp to score on a squeeze play as Jessica Thornton's bunt was perfectly placed for a hit.
Thornton then stole second, and the throw brought Walton home for the second run of the inning. Thornton stole third, and then came home when Kaitlin Harris stole second and the Dolphins threw it down to second.
The Jags got another run in the second on a passed ball to establish an early 4-0 lead.
But Le Moyne (3-7) battled back, putting three up on the board in the top of the fourth on Leah Ford's RBI walk with the bases loaded and Fran Kiernan's two-RBI single up the middle to cut the lead to one.
ASU immediately responded in the bottom of the inning, getting two on Kristen Jones' third homer of the year to deep left center, a two-run bomb that gave the Jags a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Heather Sexton improved to 3-1 on the year, working 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. She struck out five while walking just one, allowing just three Dolphin baserunners.
Breanna Klein (0-1) took the loss for Le Moyne.
In the second game, Heather Hughes hurled a three-hitter, keeping the Dolphins off-balance at the plate to move her record to 6-1 on the season. She struck out three and didn't issue a walk, exhibiting great command throughout to win a tight on against Le Moyne's Sarah Harrison (3-4).
ASU was helped by three Dolphin errors, all in the bottom of the second that lead to two unearned runs. Jessica Thornton reached on an error, stole second, moved to third on Katilin Harris' groundout to third, and scored when the first baseman tried to gun her down at third and overshot the base.
Lauren Yeargan then walked, moving all the way to third on an error that allowed Brooke Stephens to get on. Stephens got caught in a rundown trying to steal second, but bought enough time for Yeargan to get home and give the Jags a two-run lead.
Kaitlin Harris' walk with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth provided the final margin.
The Jaguars only managed two hits in the second game, but six walks and the three errors provided enough offense on the day.
Thornton led Augusta State on the day, going 3-for-4 with two runs scores, an RBI, and four stolen bases. Camp had three hits and scored four times, all in the first game.
Kiernan paced the Dolphins, going 1-for-4 with two RBI.
ASU heads to UNC Pembroke to open Peach Belt Conference play Saturday, March 10 before hosting Georgia Southwestern in another PBC series Monday, March 12 beginning at 1:00 p.m.