Dahlonega, Ga - For the second straight game, Augusta's
Garrett Wright tossed a complete game, but this time to open up the Peach Belt Conference tournament as the Jaguars upset No. 13 North Georgia 4-0 Friday. The Jaguars are now 13-38 while the Nighthawks are 36-14. AU advances in the winner's bracket and will play the winner of the Columbus State – Georgia Southwestern game Saturday at 11 a.m.
Wright, who pitched a seven-inning complete game a week ago, went the distance allowing just three hits to one of the top offensive team in the conference. He endured a lengthy rain delay in the third inning but came back to the mound and was lights out, holding North Georgia to a double in the first eight innings. The Nighthawks did threaten in the ninth. With one out, they collected a single and then another following a fly out. With two outs, Wright capped off the game getting another fly out to end things. For the game, Wright struck out six while giving up just a pair of walks for his fourth win of the year.
Augusta jumped out to an early lead as
Nolan Turner led off the game with a home run. In the second,
Roland Chance walked with two outs and moved to second on a
Ty McClintock single.
Zach Kwiatkowski would walk to load the bases. Turner would then deliver a two-run single to center making it 3-0.
After a several hour rain delay, Kwiatkowski blasted a fourth inning solo home run for the final run of the game.
Augusta had just six hits but made the most of them to plate the four runs.
Aidan Cannaday was the other Jaguar to collect a hit.
The Jaguars are guaranteed at least two more games in the double-elimination tournament. AU plays Saturday at 11 a.m.