AIKEN, S.C. - No.
19 Augusta State swept USC Aiken in a Peach Belt Conference
doubleheader on Saturday afternoon in Aiken, S.C. The Jags took
game one 4-3 in 11 innings and then topped the Pacers 5-1 in game
two.
Augusta State improves to 37-13 overall and 15-5 in the tough PBC,
while USC Aiken falls to 20-21 overall on the 2010 campaign and
9-11 in the PBC.
The Pacers jumped out to an early lead in the first inning of the
first game when Lauren Locklear crossed the plate off a single by
freshman designated player Kelley King.
USC Aiken was able to extend their lead to two in the bottom of the
third inning when leftfielder Brandy Bossle scored from first base
off a double to deep centerfield by Locklear.
Augusta State claimed the lead in the top of the sixth inning when
three Jaguars crossed the plate to set the score at 3-2.
The Pacers would not go quietly into the setting sun, however, as
senior Sidaway tied things up for the Pacers in the bottom of the
seventh inning off a double through the left side by Bossle.
Neither team could garner the go-ahead run in the first three
innings of overtime before Thornton stepped to the plate in the top
of the 11th inning. In a situation similar to her game-winning home
run a few weeks earlier, Thornton ripped a home run over the left
field wall to give the Jaguars the go-ahead run and eventual
win.
USC Aiken was led at the plate by sophomore second baseman Whitney
Clary and Bossle. Clary was 2-for-4 at the dish while Bossle was
2-for-5 with one run.
Sara DeMuth garnered the win in the circle for Jaguars fanning four
batters. She improves to 15-6 on the season.
Flessate took the loss for the Pacers in the circle falling to 12-8
on the season.
The second game started off in similar form to the first as the
Pacers raced out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first
inning. Bossle secured the Pacers lone score when Blair Warren sent
a sacrifice bunt to the second baseman.
Augusta State would control the rest of the game from the plate as
they tied the game in the top of the third inning and then claimed
the lead in the fifth inning. The Jaguars extended that lead in the
top of the sixth inning and never looked back as they out-hit the
Pacers 12-5.
The freshman duo of Bossle and King led USC Aiken's bats in
game two, with both going 2-for-3. Bossle secured the lone run on
the day.
Kimberly Kennedy gained the win in the second game for the Jaguars.
She improves to 8-2 for the season. Flessate took the loss in game
two fanning six batters in seven innings of work. She falls to 12-9
for the 2010 season. Kristen Jones paced the Jags offensively with
four hits and four RBI on the afternoon. Jessica Thornton had two
hits with two RBI, while Kacey Sims had three hits and one run
batted in. The Lady Jags are back in action this weekend when they
travel to Florence, S.C. to compete in the Peach Belt Conference
Tournament hosted by Francis Marion.
