AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Jaguars had the lead and then carried a 3-all ball game into the eighth inning only for No. 7 Georgia College to knock a game-changing home run to take a 4-3 final Friday night in game one of the Peach Belt Conference series at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

GRU (11-17, 3-10) took an early lead over the No. 7 team in the nation despite the Bobcats (19-4, 11-2) scoring one unearned run in their initial at bat off an infield error. The Jaguars knocked four straight singles off GC starter Spencer Thomas to steal a 2-1 lead in the third. Hunter Boose plated Ross Miles and Chase Loyd lined one up the middle for the 2-1 swing.

JD Sabo hit a deep one-out double in the bottom of the second for the Jags and Miles came through win an opposite-field single to score Sabo with a headfirst slide that beat the throw from right field. The Bobcats loaded the bases on GRU left-hander Kip Custer in the third. Custer got a crucial groundball double-play, but not before the runner from third took home to close the Jags' lead to 3-2.

In their next at bat, GC loaded the bases again on Custer when Rob Hogenkamp singled to right center, but the senior found his way out again. Hunter Boose made a diving catch a third with the bases loaded to keep the lead, but not for long. Brandon Benson tied the game at 3-all for GC in the fifth inning with an RBI double down the left-field line that scored Jake Sandlin.

GRU starter Kip Custer went 5.2 innings to allow 10 hits for three runs (one earned), before Tristan Jones relieved in the sixth. GC loaded the bases for the third time after Jones gave up a single and allowed two walks. Clay Ardeeser hit a hard line drive to Jeff Rice at shortstop, who made an acrobatic leaping grab, before Jones got out of a big jam in the top of the seventh as he stranded three runners.

With the game at a solid standstill, Bobcat designated hitter Taylor Henshaw hit a solo home run to left field, breaking the tie and leaving a final 4-3 score.

GC starter Spencer Thomas tossed 6.2 innings to give up nine hits for three runs, before Jordan Brooks (3-0) came in for Thomas in the seventh and got the win. Jones (1-1) took the loss 3.1 innings, allowing three hits for one run. For the GRU offense, Miles and Loyd were each 2-for-4 while Boose was 1-for-4 with a run and RBI. The Jaguars and Bobcats conclude their PBC series tomorrow, Saturday March 22 for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader at LOS.