Jaguars baseball team triumphs over Francis Marion, 4-3

By Shelbie Summerlin | Sports writer

The Augusta University baseball team rallied against Francis Marion to win 4-3 on Tuesday, March 21, at Jaguar Field.

The Patriots struck in the second inning off an RBI double from Blake Falor to score Kollin Crepeau.

Augusta answered back in the bottom of the second as Kyle Lodise drove in Gavin Wright with a groundout.

Francis Marion (13-17) pulled ahead 2-1 in the third on a Will Hardee homer.

After three scoreless innings, Parker Ingram and Kyle LaRoche went yard back to back in the seventh to put the Jaguars up 3-2.

Koby Ayala scored in the eighth off a Jordan Wilkie double for Augusta. That proved the game-winning run.

The Patriots made an effort to come back in the ninth as Tanner Wakefield singled to center to score Zack Summerville, but the Jaguars held on.

Wilkie led the Jaguars with two hits on the day.

Logan Howell started for Augusta before Britt Kelly took the mound. He went five and one-third innings and didn’t allow a hit or a run.

Jasper Dubberly closed for the Jaguars and got the save.

Kelly says it felt great to get the win before heading back into conference play.

“It’s huge for the team going into this weekend series. It was a tough game, but we pulled it through at the end,” said Kelly.

Augusta (12-13) will host its Peach Belt Conference opponent Flagler this weekend. Because of weather, Friday’s doubleheader will start at noon, and Sunday’s game will start at 1 p.m. The final game could be moved to Saturday, but the decision is to be determined.

Kelly says the team is looking forward to this weekend.

“We’re all excited to get back on track against Flagler,” he said. “Everyone is thrilled for the opportunity to get back in the win column, just gotta play our game.”

Kyle LaRoche readies to stroke a key home run for the Jaguars in the seventh inning of a 4-3 win over Francis Marion. At the top of the page, Britt Kelly hurls in his best outing of the season, in which he surrounded no hits and no runs over five and a third innings. (photos by Madison Keel)

Kyle Lodise makes a play from shortstop for the Jaguars in their 4-3 win over Francis Marion. (photo by Shelbie Summerlin)