AU softball struggles to score against PBC rival USC Aiken
By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor
Augusta University’s softball team was swept in a three-game conference series against rival USC Aiken over the weekend.
The Jaguars (0-3, 11-12) began their Peach Belt Conference campaign by losing both games of a doubleheader 3-2 and 6-0 on Saturday, March 5. AU then lost the final game of the series 2-1 the following day.
The opener on Saturday would come down to the ninth inning, as the Pacers and Jaguars were tied 1-1. The Pacers took the lead in the top of the ninth with an RBI sacrifice fly by Holly Daum, bringing in Emily Ayers. Shircoria Basket added one more run for the Pacers with an RBI single for 3-1.
AU fought back in the bottom of the ninth with a RBI single by Paige Patterson, but the Jaguars would leave two runners on base, losing the game 3-2.
Mary Tillman pitched well in the loss for the Jaguars, striking out 12 batters and allowing three earned runs in nine innings pitched.
Payton Baker got the win for the Pacers, only giving up one earned run and struck out seven batters in nine innings pitched.
The second game featured AU’s Maggie McBrayer against USC Aiken’s Lakyn Phillips, who had a career performance, striking out 15 batters and only giving up one hit and no runs.
Mallory Shaver led the Pacers hitting with a 4-for-4 effort and two runs. Skylar Morley had a 3-for-4 game with a homer and three RBIs.
The finale was another low-scoring dueling with Tillman dueling with Baker.
The Jaguars had an early 1-0 lead after Shelbie Summerlin score off an error from the Pacers shortstop in the third inning.
In the top of the fifth inning, Jena Dewalt hit a two-run, game-deciding home run, giving the Pacers the 2-1 lead and the win.
Baker finished with four strikeouts and only gave up two hits and no earned runs in five innings pitched. Baker got the save after coming in the fifth inning for the Pacers (3-0, 16-7) and finishing with two strikeouts and giving up only one hit.
Tillman finished with eight strikeouts, giving up two runs off eight hits in seven innings pitched.
Augusta’s next game is against North Georgia (1-2, 15-8), beginning their three-game series on Friday, March 11, at 4 p.m. The Jaguars will play a doubleheader the following day with the first game beginning at noon, followed by another game at 2 p.m.
Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.
Paige Patterson (6) had an RBI single for the Jaguars in the opening game with USC Aiken. (photo by Madison Keel) At the top of the page, Maggie McBrayer shows her pitching form for Augusta. (photo by Chris Rickerson)
AU third baseman Shelbie Summerlin (20) goes for the tag on the Pacers’ Brianna Dow (12) in the Peach Belt Conference softball game. (photo by Chris Rickerson)
