AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta State split with Lander on Saturday afternoon to take three-game Peach Belt Conference series 2-1 at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

With the win, the Jaguars improved to 16-14 overall and 5-4 in the conference, while Lander dropped to 19-9 on the season and 4-5 in the league.

In game one, sophomore Scott Strickland (2-2) received as he allowed three earned runs on four hits in 2.1 innings. Sophomore Stephen Ramsey relieved Strickland and gave up eight hits and had three strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work. Freshman Chase Johnson pitched 2.1 innings, relieving Ramsey and gave up one run on five hits.

Tim Rau (4-1) earned the win for Lander as he struck out one and allowed no runs and only five hits in six complete innings.

In game two, the Bearcats jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first, but the Jags answered back in the bottom of the first with four runs. Down 12-2, Lander rallied for five runs in the seventh inning, but it wouldn't be enough as the Jags added three more runs in the seventh and eighth innings.

For the Jags in game two, Ben Dukes (4-1) earned the win, pitching a 6.1 innings allowing eleven hits. Dukes booked six strikeouts and gave up only one walk. Sophomore Patrick Lowe relieved Dukes and allowed only fours with 2 strikeouts in 2.2 innings of work.

Lander's Chris Thomas (2-2) received the loss as he walked three and allowed four earned runs on one hit in one-third of an inning.

Senior Kevin Owens paced the Jags offensively with a 5-for-9 afternoon with two RBI. Senior Tim Rawlings was 3-for-5 in game two and had four RBI, while senior Jorge Virguez, junior Tony Baker and sophomore Alex Walker each had three safeties on the afternoon, with Walker having three RBI.

ASU is back in action on Tuesday, March 24 when they travel to Belmont, N.C. to take on Belmont Abbey in a non-conference matchup. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.