AUGUSTA, GA– The Augusta University baseball team split a double header with Flagler Friday afternoon. The second game of the day acted as the inaugural Gold Star Family Appreciation Day.
 
In partnership with Caitlyn Burner – a Gold Star Augusta University Student, the Jaguars recognized and honored families grieving military loss. The game began with a moment of silence and the playing of TAPS. The National Anthem was performed live before the first pitch was thrown out by two Augusta University Gold Star students. Fans got the chance to hear Caitlyn Burner's story and hear from Abbie Wittwer of Children of Fallen Patriots. All fans in attendance received free T shirts, stickers, and raffle tickets.
 
Augusta 6 Flagler 2
 
The Jags jumped out to an early lead after a 2 RBI single by Jordan Wilkie and a single from Rushton Bowles that pushed Harrison Aulds in for the score.
 
After Flagler singled for a score in the fifth inning, Augusta would answer immediately in the bottom of the inning. After two singles in the first two at-bats, Kyle Lodise stole third base and scored off a sac fly to left field from Aulds.
 
The Saints hit a dinger over the left field fence in the seventh inning for their final score of the game. Augusta added two more insurance runs in the seventh inning for a 6-2 final score.
 
Mason Bernard was the winning pitcher for AU. Bernard went seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out five and walking one. Turner Sircy threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen.
 
The Jags collected ten hits. Kyle Lodise, Pat Galvin, Koby Ayala, and Jordan Wilkie all managed multiple. Lodise led Augusta with three hits in four at bats.
 
 
Augusta 5 Flagler 15
 
AU was unable to stifle the hot offense of the Saints in the second game of the day. The visiting team would collect 13 hits through the first four innings for all 15 scores.
 
Augusta put up a fight in the fourth inning, utilizing a series of pinch hitters to score four runs. The inning was highlighted a home run from Gavin Wright, a triple from J.Ben Haynes, and a double from Trevor Maddox.
 
JR Fordham (2-3) got the start for Augusta, tossing a single inning while striking out two and allowing three hits for four runs.  Brandon Byler, Dominic Canale, Brian Trepanier, Aedan Cates, and Cody Shieder all pitched in relief
 
 
J.Ben Haynes and Rushton Bowles helped pace the Augusta offense. Each was 2-for-3 with 1 run. Mike Morrison was 2-for-4 while Gavin Wright was 1-for-2 with 1 run and 2 RBI.
 
The Jags are slated to wrap the final game of the series tomorrow at 1pm.

 
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