ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Flagler rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh Sunday afternoon to top Augusta State 6-3 and complete a sweep of the three-game Peach Belt Conference series.
The Saints jumped right back in front after the Jaguars had pulled even with three runs in the top of the inning. Sophomore shortstop Kevin Dodson singled to center to lead off the frame for ASU. Matt Smith walked before both players advanced to second and third on a wild pitch.
Justin Appel walked and Justin Thigpen followed with an RBI-single to plate Dodson and get the Jags on the scoreboard. After a Ross Miles' strikeout, junior first baseman Seth Foster raked a single to chase home Smith and Appel before Thigpen was thrown at the plate with the potential go-ahead run.
Foster went 2-for-4 to pace ASU offensively, while Dodson, Smith and Miles accounted for the Jags' three other hits.
John Sgromolo had half of the Saints' hit, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Jay Laurienzo drove in a pair of runs.
Max Rusch (2-0) earned the win with 3.0 innings of relief. He allowed two hits and an earned run with two strikeouts and two walks.
ASU starter Josh Barks (2-1) took the loss, his first of the season. He gave up six hits in 6.1 innings, yielding six runs (four earned) while striking out five and walking three. Zack Breaux worked the final 1.2 innings, retiring all five batters he faced.
The Jags travel to Newberry on Wednesday, Feb. 22 for a 3:00 p.m., non-conference contest. ASU heads to Greenwood, S.C., next weekend for a three-game league series with Lander.
