AU baseball upsets defending D2 national champion North Greenville, 12-4
By Madison Keel | Sports writer
The Augusta University baseball team dominated the defending national champion North Greenville, winning 12-4 on Wednesday, March 1, at Jaguar Baseball Field.
The Jaguars started off slow with only two runs in the first five innings. It remained a tight game as the Crusaders had only scored one run, in the second inning.
Augusta launched into the lead in the sixth, as they put four runs on the board. North Greenville, which won the NCAA Division II title last June in North Carolina, remained scoreless through six innings.
The Crusaders, ranked No. 1 in the Division II preseason poll, would put up a fight in the seventh with three runs.
The Jaguars answered with one run, so Greenville was back in the game, and trailed 7-4 going into the eighth.
AU then ran away with the game in the bottom of the eighth, scoring five runs to put the Jaguars ahead 12-4.
“The win over North Greenville gives our players a true understanding of competing at a high level,” said AU Coach Chris Howell. “Our players played well in all areas of the game.”
Third baseman Parker Ingram led the team with three runs, three hits and three RBI. This included a solo home run in the seventh inning.
“Parker has been working hard on his swing,” Howell said. “He is starting to feel the barrel in the zone and putting good swings on the ball. He is a high energy player and had a good couple of games.”
Center fielder Harrison Aulds added two hits and three RBI for AU.
They were followed closely by right fielder Ben Haynes and second baseman Koby Ayala, who both punched in two runs. Ayala had a double.
AU had 16 hits, following 19 hits on Sunday in a win over Georgia Southwestern.
“We have been working hard over the last couple days with a better approach at the plate,” Howell said. “Unselfish at-bats and timely hitting are the keys. We have to stay grounded at the plate and keep doing the little things.”
Brian Trepanier got the victory on the mound. He allowed a single hit in two innings while striking out three.
This win was huge for the Jaguars as they took down the No. 1-ranked Crusaders, whose record is now 14-2. Augusta is now 4-8 overall and 2-4 in the Peach Belt Conference.
The Jaguars, who have won three of their last four games, will take on the University of North Georgia in a three-game series starting on Friday, March 3, at 2 p.m. at Jaguar Baseball Field. Games are also scheduled for March 4 and 5.
Contact Madison Keel mkeel@augusta.edu.
Ben Haynes heads for third base during AU’s 12-4 win over No. 1 North Greenville. At the top of the page, Parker Ingram hits a solo home run in the seventh inning. (photos by Madison Keel)
Brian Trepanier went two innings of one-hit ball with three strikeouts to get the win on the mound for AU. (photo by Madison Keel)
