AUGUSTA,Ga. – The GRU Augusta Jaguars (16-29, 3-9 PBC) fell twice to the Georgia College Bobcats (29-11, 8-6 PBC) in a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader April 2 at Jaguar Field.
The Bobcats took game one in a 3-1 defensive stand behind the arm of pitcher Carly Lewis (W, 13-7). The team put points on the scoreboard early in the top of the first off a single from infielder Kristen Humphries that scored right fielder Danielle Bernstein, and Bobcats player Savannah Chapman reached home plate in the second inning.
The Jaguars retaliated in the bottom of the third thanks to the persistence of infielder Ashley Benton, who reached first on a hit to shortstop, advanced to second off a sacrifice bunt, stole third and scored off a RBI from second base player Casey Rowland.
The Bobcats wouldn’t reach home plate again until the seventh. The Bobcats loaded the bases, and the Jaguars starter Haley Birkle (L ,6-14) threw a wild pitch that led to center fielder Whitney Okvist scoring a run, but the inning ended on that play after a failed attempt by third baseman Taylor Campbell to reach home plate.
In the first game of the doubleheader matchup Birkle allowed five hits, three runs and committed two errors in her start. Lewis had three strikeouts, gave up four hits and one run in seven innings of work.
The defensive struggle continued in game two of the doubleheader, as the Bobcats clinched a consecutive 3-1 victory.
In the second matchup both teams switched starting pitchers. Marisa Boyette (W, 10-4) pitched all seven innings for the Bobcats and the Jaguars gave Paige Deschaine (L, 9-14) the nod to start.
Both teams scored in the first inning, the Bobcats plated two runners and the Jaguars plated one, but it wasn’t until to the top of the seventh before another run was added to the scoreboard.
Bernstein stepped up to the plate with runners on second and third base and two outs already tallied. During Bernstein’s at bat she was able to hit a single and RBI catcher Danielle Knight.
The Jaguars had one more chance to tie or win the game in the bottom of the seventh. However, Boyette held the Jaguars to zero hits in the final period. First baseman Macy Terry popped up to third base, shortstop Brianna Dickens grounded out to second and Benton struck out looking.
Boyette ended the day with four hits, one run, three walks and one strikeout. While Deschaine had six hits, three runs, three errors, three walks and seven strikeouts.
The Jaguars will return to Jaguar field for a doubleheader matchup against Columbus State April 5 at 2 p.m.
