Jags Can’t Handle Pirates

Jags Can’t Handle Pirates

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta State stranded the tying run at third and could do no more, falling 3-2 in game two after dropping game one 11-4 to No. 6 Armstrong Atlantic State in Peach Belt Conference action Sunday.

The Jaguars (30-14, 11-7 PBC) fell behind early in game two, as AASU (41-8, 17-1) put two on the board in the first off a Heather Walker double down the right field line. The Pirates tacked on another in the third on Celia Blome's RBI single to center for a 3-0 margin.

ASU had a chance in the first inning, loading the bases with two outs, but a groundout ended the only threat the Jaguars seemed to have.

Finally, Augusta State answered in the sixth. Jessica Thornton led things off with a double to right center, and scored on Lauren Yeargan's RBI single to left. Heather Hughes tripled to the right field corner to bring Yeargan home with one out in the inning, but AASU hurler Caitlin Campbell induced a lineout and flyout to preserve the lead.

Campbell (19-3) tossed a 1-2-3 final frame to seal the win. She allowed eight hits, two earned runs, and struck out four. Hughes (10-7) also went the distance, giving up seven hits, three runs (two earned), and striking out two.

In the opener, Augusta State used solo shots by Kacee Camp and Kristen Jones to build a 2-0 advantage in the first, but the Pirates knotted things up in the third and scored four in the fourth to break things open for the win.

Megan Barnwell (18-3) allowed four earned runs in a complete-game effort, giving up five hits and striking out two. Emily Headrick (15-5) took the loss after giving up seven runs (three earned) in four innings of work.

Hannah Vaughn led the Jaguars with three hits in the doubleheader, while Camp and Jones scored twice along with notching two hits. Ballie Temples (3-for-8, four runs, six RBI) paced a strong Pirate offense on the day.