PEMBROKE, N.C. – Augusta State used a standout pitching effort from Emily Headrick and enjoyed a strong offensive showing in both contests to notch their first two Peach Belt Conference wins of the year against UNC Pembroke Saturday.
ASU's win streak stands at 11, a span that has included five shutouts and two mercy-rule victories.
The Jaguars (17-5, 2-0 PBC) jumped all over UNCP (10-15, 0-2 PBC) in the first game, sticking seven runs up on the board in the first inning. The Lady Braves committed five errors in the inning, allowing ASU to keep the bases loaded and pile on five hits.
Every Augusta State starter got on base at least once, eight hitters notched at least one hit, and seven scored in the game. Jessica Thornton's two runs scored and two hits led the Jaguar attack, while Renae Kimbell also knocked two hits.
Headrick (7-2) blanked the Lady Braves, holding them to six hits while striking out four for her third shutout of the season.
Jamie Burwell led UNCP with two hits.
Game two looked similar to the first initially, as the Jaguars scored seven in the first again, highlighted by Brooke Stephens' two-RBI double with the bases loaded.
But the Lady Braves chipped away at the lead, scoring two in the second, one each in the third and fourth, and two more in the fifth innings.
ASU got two more in the top of the fourth as Kacee Camp started things off with a double. Molly Walton bunted, getting to second as the throw to third was too late to get Camp's advance. Kristen Jones followed with a double to left, bringing both runners home.
Heather Sexton got the win in relief to improve to 4-1 on the season, giving up five hits and two runs (one earned). She left three UNCP runners stranded in scoring position, one after a game-ending double play on a line shot to short that Camp snagged cleanly.
Camp (3-for-4, two runs, an RBI) and Walton (2-for-4, two runs) led the Jaguars offensively on the basepaths, while Jones and Stephens led at the plate with two RBI apiece.
Augusta State returns home to host Georgia Southwestern in a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader Monday, March 12 at Jaguar Field. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.