AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta State's Ben Dukes scattered 10 hits over 7.2 innings as the Jaguars defeated Columbus State 8-5 Sunday afternoon in the finale of a three-game, Peach Belt Conference series at Lake Olmstead Stadium

With the victory, ASU evened its record at 8-8 on the season and improved to 1-2 in the PBC. The Cougars, who were going for the series sweep, dropped to 5-6 overall and 2-1 in the league.

The Jags outhit CSU 12-10 and scored three runs in their half of the first after falling behind 2-0 in the top of the inning. An Alex Walker RBI-single and a two-run triple from freshman Dwight Ashe put ASU head to stay.

The Jags took a 6-3 lead in the fourth when freshman Caleb Saggus singled up the middle and junior rightfielder Shannon Wilkerson doubled to center to start the inning. After a walk, junior shortstop Tony Baker lined out to score Saggus and sophomore catcher Alex Sickman roped a two-run double down the left-field line.

A senior lefthander from nearby Evans, Dukes (2-1) allowed five runs – three earned – and struck out three with five walks. Sophomore reliever Patrick Lowe worked out of a jam in the eighth inning and retired the Cougars in order in the ninth to register his first save.

CSU starter Chris Snipes (1-2) was one of five Cougar pitchers used in the game. He was charged with nine hits and six earned runs, while striking out seven and walking four.

Sickman collected three hits and three RBI for the Jags, while Wilkerson, Ashe and Evan Smith logged two hits each.

Ryan Lewis, Brian Gordon and Cam Willis all had a pair of safeties for the Cougars.

ASU travels to Due West, S.C., to face Erskine on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 2:00 p.m.