Jaguars fall short against USC Aiken in 8-7 "Battle for the Paddle" loss

By Jaxon Garner | Editor in Chief

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.—In a hard-fought edition of the annual 'Battle for the Paddle,' Augusta University fell just short against rival USC Aiken, dropping a tight 8-7 contest on March 26 at SRP Park.

The Jaguars (5-7 PBC, 8-23) entered the game looking to snap a three-game losing streak and gain momentum in what has been a challenging season.

Sophomore left-hander Robert Hunt took the mound for Augusta, carrying a 7.36 ERA. For the Pacers (6-6 PBC, 15-16), senior right-hander Connor Sampers got the start, entering with a 5.94 ERA.

Early Jaguars Surge

Augusta came out swinging in the first inning. Nolan Turner and Matthew Thigpen both reached base, setting the stage for Parker Ingram, who crushed a deep double off the wall to drive in the game’s first run. The Jaguars stayed hot, plating two more runs to give Hunt early run support and a 3-0 lead.

USC Aiken responded in the bottom half as Josh Sharp led off with a triple to deep center. Capers Molinaroli brought him home with a sacrifice fly, cutting the Jaguars’ lead to 3-1. Hunt shut down the Pacers from there, maintaining Augusta’s advantage heading into the second inning.

The Pacers made an early move to the bullpen, bringing in sophomore right-hander Jared Huse to face the top of Augusta’s lineup. However, the Jaguars kept their bats alive as Ingram launched a two-run homer to left field, scoring Thigpen and extending the lead to 5-1.

USC Aiken chipped away in the bottom of the second when Hunter Thompson blooped a single to shallow left, driving in two runs to make it a 5-3 game.

Pacers Rally in the Fifth

USC Aiken continued its aggressive bullpen strategy, sending out Lucas Highberger for his first appearance of the season in the fourth. Ingram, already halfway to the cycle with a homer and a double, was hit by a pitch but was left stranded as the Pacers avoided further damage.

After Hunt issued a walk in the fifth, Augusta head coach Chris Howell turned to junior right-hander Elijah Durnell (7.50 ERA). Durnell struggled with command, walking another batter and hitting one, loading the bases with one out. He then issued his third walk of the inning, forcing in a run and prompting another pitching change.

Gavin Zoeller entered with a 4.73 ERA, hoping to stop the bleeding. However, his first pitch hit a batter, bringing in the tying run. Without the Pacers recording a single hit, they managed to clear the bases and take a 7-5 lead. Zoeller eventually escaped the inning with a strikeout, but the damage was done.

Late-Inning Push Falls Short

The Jaguars attempted to rally in the sixth as Ingram and Roland Chance both drew walks. Mike Morrison followed with a single to right, scoring Ingram and advancing Chance to third. USC Aiken made another pitching change, turning to Jacob Bodkin, who induced a groundout to strand the runners and preserve the Pacers’ 7-6 lead.

Sharp extended USC Aiken’s lead in the bottom of the sixth, launching a solo homer to right to make it 8-6. That led to another Jaguars pitching change, with Caleb Jatko replacing Zoeller. Jatko delivered a strong outing, retiring the side in order and keeping Augusta within striking distance.

Augusta’s bullpen held firm the rest of the way, keeping USC Aiken scoreless. In the eighth, the Jaguars managed to cut the deficit to one after Chance reached on an error and scored on a Jake Vachon single. However, Augusta was unable to complete the comeback, falling 8-7.

Despite the loss, Ingram shined at the plate with a home run, double, and multiple RBIs. Augusta will look to bounce back in its series versus North Georgia this weekend.

Contact Jaxon Garner at jaxgarner@augusta.edu.

AU’s Elijah Durnell delivers a pitch against USC Aiken at SRP Park (Photo by Lydia Williams/The Bell Ringer).

Top of the screen: AU’s J. Ben Haynes awaits the pitch coming in from USC Aiken (Photo by Lydia Williams/The Bell Ringer).