Trepanier strikes out nine, but AU loses series 2-1 to Francis Marion

By Chris Rickerson | Sports writer

The Augusta University baseball team lost a three-game series to Francis Marion by two games to one at Jaguar Field. The Jaguars would lose Game One 9-3, followed by a win in Game Two on Saturday 6-5, but the Jags would go on to lose the final game 3-2.

Game One was played Friday afternoon March 19. Friday’s game would feature Augusta sophomore pitcher Noah Fritz against Francis Marion’s pitcher Daniel Twitty.

The Jaguars would start off with two easy outs, but the Patriots would go on a two-out rally. Darius Nobles hit an RBI double for the Patriots, followed by Grayson Cottingham hitting another RBI double making the score 2-0 in the top of the first.

Augusta would score in the bottom of first inning when senior Trent Maddox hit RBI single bringing in senior Mason Robertson.

The Jaguars would tie the game 2-2, after junior Ben Markiewicz hit a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning.

Fritz and the Jaguars would once again struggle with two outs in the top of the fourth when Daulton Dabbs hit an RBI single, and Will Hardee hit an RBI double for Patriots. It would go downhill for Augusta from there, as Cottingham hit a three-run home run in the top of fifth.

Augusta would only get a couple more hits the rest of the game and would lose the game 9-3.

On Saturday, the Jaguars would have an afternoon doubleheader, which they split. 

The first game of the doubleheader would feature junior Brian Trepanier on the mound for AU against Francis Marion’s Weston Rogers. 

Trepanier would start out with two strikeouts but would struggle with two outs and would walk in Carson Jones for the Patriots, making the score 1-0 in the first inning. 

The Jaguars would bounce back scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Trent Maddox hit an RBI double bringing in freshmen Harrison Aulds and Maddox would also score on an RBI ground out from freshmen Milan Ellerson. Freshmen Jordan Wilkie would walk with the bases loaded bringing Markiewicz from third, putting the Jags ahead 3-1.

Trepanier finished strong, striking out nine and would only give up three hits and three earned runs but would depart in the fifth inning. 

“The pitchers average about four and a half innings a start and the big inning has put us in a hole all year, so our objective today was to eliminate the big inning and have other guys ready,” said AU Coach Chris Howell. “I thought he was running out of gas, but he did a great job and gave us a chance to win.”

Junior Chase Horton came in for the Jaguars and gave up a two-RBI single by Patriot’s shortstop Jack Hegan, tying the game 4-4. 

It was senior Jose Nogueras who would come up big again and hit the go ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning and the Jaguars would win the game 6-5.

“We made some big strides today, and I felt good on the mound,” said Trepanier. “It felt good to get a win and have all these fans out here supporting us.”

The final game of the doubleheader would be a defensive battle that had AU sophomore Will Cantrell against Francis Marion’s pitcher Halton Hardy.

The Patriots would score first on an RBI double from Tanner Wakefield bringing in Austin Moore in the second inning. Patriot’s Will Hardee hit an RBI triple in the fourth inning and put FMU ahead 2-0 early. 

Augusta tied the game in the seventh inning after Nogueras scored on ground out from Aulds and senior Mason Robertson scored on a wild pitch. 

Wakefield would hit the game-winning double in the eighth inning, bringing in Cottingham and the Patriots won 3-2. Augusta coach Chris Howell would have some comments after the game.

“It comes down to execution and it comes down to two sac bunts and situational hitting, and that’s where the game was decided.” said Howell. “I thought we played hard as a team; we just didn’t get it done.”

Augusta (2-10, 3-11) plays its next game at home as the Jaguars face Lander (8-6. 12-7). The game will be Tuesday, March 23, at 2 p.m. 

Note: At the top of the page, AU hurler Brian Trepanier delivers another strike for the Jaguars. (photo by Chris Rickerson)

 Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.