AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta State freshman third baseman Bryson Smith lined a three-run homer and went on to a 12-2 victory over Paine College Wednesday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

With the Jaguars leading 2-0 in the third inning, Smith jacked a three-run homer off Lions’ starter Caleb Rowell and sparked a five-run outburst. The long ball marked the third straight game for Smith with a homer, who hit a solo bomb vs. UNC Pembroke Monday and hit three more vs. West Liberty State Tuesday.

Paine avoided the shutout with a pair of runs in the fifth inning and ASU tagged on three runs in the eighth.

Junior righthander Jacob Watson improved to 3-1 on the season with 2.2 innings of relief, striking out four and allowing just one hit after taking over for freshman starter Blake Pockrandt with one out in the fifth. Pockrandt, making his first start of the season after seven appearances out of the bullpen, worked the first 4.1 innings, yielding five hits and an earned run with two strikeouts and a walk.

Junior lefty Chris Tyler fanned the side in the eighth and Kyle Payne closed out the contest with a perfect ninth inning.

Senior leftfielder Michael Fritz went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI and runs scored. Five other Jaguars – Kevin Owens, David Barnes, Tony Baker and Alex Sickman -- had at least two hits, including Smith, who had five RBI and driving in eight runs in Tuesday’s 25-2 victory over West Liberty State.

No player for the Lions had more than one hit.

ASU hosts Armstrong Atlantic State in a Peach Belt Conference series this weekend at Lake Olmstead Stadium. A single game is slated for Tuesday, March 15 at 2:00 p.m., with a doubleheader set for Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

Augusta State d. Paine 12-2 (BOX SCORE)