Friday, March 24, 2006

JAGUARS RALLY TO EARN SWEEP

Augusta, Ga. – The Augusta State Jaguars dominated game one and rallied for the win in game two to sweep the North Georgia Saints in a Thursday afternoon doubleheader at Jaguar Field, 9-1 and 5-4.

The Jaguars (21-6, 9-1 PBC) were the first to strike in game one, with Jessica Matta scoring on a North Georgia error to give the Jags an early lead. In the third, Courtney Smith slammed a two-run homer to left-center to put ASU up 3-0. The Saints (9-11, 1-7 PBC) held the Jags scoreless in the next two innings, and picked up a run of their own in the fifth, but ASU claimed six runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth to take a 9-1 lead. The game was called with no outs and three runners left on base for the Jags.

The complete-game win went to Amy Dumas. Dumas (12-3) allowed one run on three hits with 11 strikeouts and five walks. North Georgia starter Rachel Bridges got the loss, giving up three runs (two earned) in three innings.

In game two, the Jags were again the first to get on the board when Matta crossed the plate courtesy of a sacrifice fly to centerfield from Paige Phillips in the third.

North Georgia answered back in the top of the fifth, taking the lead from ASU. The Saints scored their first run on a double to left-center from Candace Shubert that scored Brittany Cobb, and put up two more with a homer from Lynsey Thompson. The Jags came right back in the bottom of the inning when Matta blasted a double to right-center that plated Brooke Southerland, and Smith sent her second two-run shot of the day over the leftfield fence to give the Jags a 4-3 lead.

But the Saints did not go quietly. North Georgia tied the game at four in the top of the sixth on a single from Krista Bess that scored pinch runner Meigan Grimm. With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Smith came to the plate for the Jags with the score still tied 4-4 and sent a single to right field. After stealing second, Smith made it to the plate on a single from designated player Dumas to give ASU the 5-4 victory.

The win was credited to Danielle Metzger (3-2), who pitched two innings in relief of ASU’s starter, Jacklyn Benenhaley. The loss went to relief pitcher Dana Lowery, who came in for Bridges in the fifth.

For the Jags, Courtney Smith had three hits (two homeruns) and five RBIs, Jessica Matta notched two hits and Leigh Robbins posted two RBIs on the day. Brooke Kesler was the only Saint to get multiple hits in a game, putting up two in game one with one RBI. Thompson had two RBIs in game two, and Bess had one for North Georgia.

Box Score, Game 1

Box Score, Game 2

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