GREENWOOD, S.C. -
Lander topped Augusta State 9-3 on Thursday night in a
non-conference game at Legion Field in Greenwood, S.C.
Augusta State dropped to 15-29 overall, while Lander improved to
24-20 on the season.
ASU's Zack Breaux (1-2) took the loss, striking out two,
walking two and allowing six runs (three earned) on six hits in
four innings of work.
Lander's Drew Elliott (1-2) earned the win as he struck out
four and allowed five hits in 3.1 innings pitched.
The Jaguars took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on back-to-back
home runs over the left field fence by Tristan Toorie and Tony Baker. Toorie had a two-run blast and Baker a solo.
The Bearcats cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the inning. With
bases loaded, Robert Skinner went home when Bud Lanier was hit by a
pitch, then Owens scored on Devin Ridlehoover's sacrifice
fly.
Lander's Reames belted a solo homer in the second inning to
tie the game at 3-3.
The Bearcats took a 6-3 lead in the fourth when Owens drove in
Skinner, then, on the same play, Alan Abreu scored on a throwing
error. Owens then went home on Pete Hernandez's sacrifice
fly.
Lander put the game out of reach in the eighth on a two-run homer
by Owens and another Hernandez sacrifice fly.
For ASU, Toorie went 3-for-3 with one run, a homer and two RBI,
while Kenny Smith was 2-for-3 and Alex Walker was 2-for-5 with one
run.
For Lander, Hernandez went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI, while
Owens batted 2-for-4 with three runs and two RBI.
ASU is back in action over the weekend when they travel to
Columbus, Ga., to take on Columbus State in a three-game, PBC
series. The Jag and Cougars meet in a single game on Friday, April
23 at 6:00 p.m., and then square off in a doubleheader on Saturday,
April 24 at 1:00 p.m.