AUGUSTA, Ga.
– Augusta State and Carson-Newman split a season-opening,
non-conference doubleheader Saturday at Lake Olmstead Stadium. The
twinbill marked the debut of the Jaguars under head coach Chris
Cooper, an ASU alum and former assistant coach.
The Jaguars took game one 10-3 behind a strong a pitching effort
from Wilson Taylor. A sophomore righthander from Gray, Ga., Taylor
held the Eagles scoreless for the first three innings as the Jags
jumped ahead 6-0 with a six-run third inning.
Junior leftfielder Kenny Smith, making his debut for the Jags, went
3-for-5 with two RBI while fellow juniors Tristan Toorie and Alex Walker, along with freshman Cole Payne, had two hits each. Walker
drove in a pair of runs and Casey Hanrahan and Andy Onufrak scored
two runs.
Taylor allowed five hits and three runs with six strikeouts against
one walk in 6.0 innings. Junior righty Stephen Ramsey worked two
innings of relief and freshman Scott Shipman made his collegiate
debut in the ninth and closed out the win. The Jags' pitchers
combined for nine strikeouts, allowed seven hits and only walked
four.
Smith jacked a two-run homer in the third and Carl Burrow and Casey
Hanrahan each slapped doubles. Aaron Vargas went 3-for-3 and Jeff
Lockwood added two hits for the Eagles.
Carson-Newman posted a four-spot in the first inning of game two
and pulled away with six runs in the ninth for an 11-5 victory.
Burrow had two hits, including his second double in as many games.
Shortstop Mills Rogers jacked a grand slam for the Eagles and went
5-for-6 at the plate with six RBI.
The contest featured Toorie's fly ball in the sixth inning
that was misplayed by the Eagle outfield and resulted in Toorie
rounding the bases and scoring behind Burrow and just ahead of
catcher Mason Guymon's tag.
C-N's Wes McIntyre earned the victory, striking out five in
6.2 innings without allowing an earned run. Junior lefthander Joah Evans (0-1) took the loss for the Jags, despite surrendering just
one earned run in 6.0 innings. Evans yielded seven hits and four
runs with four strikeouts and four walks.
The Jags and Eagles meet again in a 9-inning, 7-inning doubleheader
Sunday at Lake Olmstead Stadium beginning at 11:00 a.m.
