AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta State (25-7) eked out a 3-2 win in game one, then removed any doubts about game two with a five-run first en route to an 8-0 win over Carson-Newman (19-13) and a non-conference sweep of the Lady Eagles.
Kacee Camp got things started in the second contest with a double and moved to third on Molly Walton's bunt single and a throwing error that moved Walton in scoring position. Kristen Jones notched a groundout to second to bring Camp home, then Jessica Thornton singled down the right field line to score Walton for a 2-0 lead.
After a steal by Thornton, Hannah Vaughn knocked a single to right, and Lauren Yeargan sent a bomb over the right center field fence for a three-run homer and a comfortable lead early for the Jaguars.
ASU tacked on two more in the third as Thornton walked, stole second, and scored on a throwing error by Carson-Newman, and Vaughn came around later on a bunt single by Macy Terry.
Thornton blasted a solo shot in the fourth to deep left for the final margin.
Heather Hughes (8-3) only needed to go four innings for the win, allowing two hits and walking three. She left bases loaded in the second as Kacee Camp prevented a run with a good throw home for the force, and then Hughes induced a groundout to end the inning.
In the first game, Augusta State got one in the third and two more in the fourth on Macy Terry's RBI single to score Laura Brown and Walton's single to score Terry to provide just enough offense for the win.
Emily Headrick (12-2) kept the Lady Eagles off-balance, giving up just two hits in her ninth complete game of the year. She struck out three and walked two, allowing two runs (one earned).
Mary Shealy (19-13) took the loss in both contests for Carson-Newman, going the distance in game one and giving up six hits and three runs (three earned), then pitching the first two innings of the second contest.
Jessica Thornton (2-for-4, 3 runs, 2 RBI, 2 stolen bases), Hannah Vaughn (2-for-5, 2 runs), and Macy Terry (2-for-5, 1 run, 2 RBI) led the Jags offensively for the day
Caitlyn Lance's solo shot in game one led the Lady Eagles.
ASU heads to Francis Marion for a Peach Belt Conference showdown Wednesday, March 21 with the first pitch set for 1:30 p.m. Fans may track live stats at http://fmustats.fmarion.edu.
