ANDERSON, S.C. – Augusta State jumped on top early, but couldn't hold on as they fell 7-5 to Anderson (S.C.) in non-conference action Wednesday.
The Jaguars (6-10) took a 4-2 lead after three thanks to two unearned runs. Caleb Saggus led off with a single and quickly stole second, advancing to third on Preston Pye's bunt and scoring on Seth Foster's RBI single down the left field line.
Clay Tucker followed by reaching on an error to move Foster to third, and Foster scored on a balk. Bradley Dennis then reached on an error by the shortstop to bring Dennis home for the final run of the inning.
But Anderson (5-12) responded, getting within one in the fourth with small-ball, and used a triple, three singles, and two walks to put a four-spot on the board in the fifth to take the lead.
ASU got a run in the eight after Saggus was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, but could do no more.
Kyle Golden took the loss for ASU in relief, falling to 0-1 on the season.
Preston Pye led the Jags offensively with a 3-for-5 effort and an RBI, while Dennis had two hits and Saggus scored two runs.
Chase Johnston hurled three shutout innings in relief to drop his ERA to 2.08 on the season.
The Jags return home to take on USC Aiken in a three-game Peach Belt Conference series beginning with a doubleheader Saturday, March 3 at Lake Olmstead Stadium. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
