HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Diamond Jaguars opened play in their first of three tournaments in 2014 at the Charger Chillout with a 7-6 game one loss to Southern Indiana and a 2-1 game-two loss to Union on Friday afternoon at Metro Kiwanis Sports Stadium.
The USI Screaming Eagles (1-0) got a 2-0 jump on the Jaguars (1-5) in the bottom of the third inning – capitalizing on an error and getting two hits to take the early lead. GRU Augusta responded in their next at bat with their biggest inning of the year so far.
Sophomore Kristen Bagley singled to load the bases in the fourth inning after Brooke Stephens reached on an error and Mallory Ferguson walked. Lone GRU senior Many Terry ripped a two-run single up the middle for their first score. A fielder's choice and walk put two more Jags on base. Head coach Melissa Brocato pinch hit Erin Rozier who produced a bases-clearing double for a 5-2 GRU lead. Ashley Benton scored off another USI error, but the Eagles clawed back.
USI got three-consecutive hits in the bottom of the fifth and scored three to trail the Jags 6-5 with the help from a GRU error. The Eagles tied it up with Mackenzie Dorsam's single and two walks and a fielder's choice loaded the bases. The Eagles drew a bases-loaded walk off GRU lefty-starter Haley Birkle to come from behind for the 7-6 final. Birkle (0-3) tossed 6.2 innings and allowed seven hits for seven runs (four earned) with one strikeout.
Rozier went 1-for-1 for the Jags with three RBI, while Bagley posted a 2-for-3 day with an RBI and Macy Terry a 1-for-3 performance with two RBI and a run scored.
USI starter Sarah Owens threw 3.2 innings to give up six runs (one earned) on six hits. Brooke Harmening relieved in 3.0 innings to record the win for the Eagles.
In game two the Jaguars produced three of their five hits in the second inning, highlighted by Bagley's RBI single to score Ferguson for a 1-0 advantage. Union answered in the next inning when Erin Picard hit a leadoff single and was plated off of Shelby Lamb's single. Tied 1-1 into the fifth, Whitney Christian reached on a GRU left-field error and took second on the play. Lamb hit her second RBI single to score Christian for an unearned run and for the 2-1 lead and final.
Kelly Robey earned the Union win in 3.0 innings where she threw seven strikeouts and allowed one hit. GRU starter Paige Deschaine (1-2) threw 6.0 innings and gave up five hits for two runs (one earned) and threw six strikeouts.
Casey Rowland led the Jaguars in game two, going 2-for-3, while Bagley, Ferguson, and Rozier each had a hit with Bagley getting the RBI.
The Jags play West Alabama at 12:00 p.m. and North Alabama at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow on Saturday, Feb. 8 for day-two action in the Charger Chillout.
