NEWBERRY, S.C. – Augusta State rallied for three runs in the last two innings and earned a 5-3 non-conference road win over Newberry Tuesday night at Smith Road Complex.

Freshman righthander Scott Strickland notched the first win of his collegiate career with six innings of scoreless relief. He took over for Jaguar starter Patrick Lowe in the fourth and limited the Indians to just three hits with six strikeouts and a pair of walks. Lowe was charged with seven hits and three earned runs and surrendered one walk.

ASU (27-24) scored single runs in the first and second innings, only to have Newberry answer with a run in each frame. The Indians (20-28) moved ahead 3-2 in the third before the Jags knotted the contest at 3-all in the eighth.

Freshman Bryson Smith reached on a leadoff single before Shannon Wilkerson’s sacrifice bunt moved Smith to second. After a Clay Haynes’ flyout, freshman centerfielder Alex Walker delivered an RBI-single through the left side to plate Smith with the game-tying run.

The Jags moved ahead in the ninth on a one-out single from Evan Smith single, a Newberry throwing error and an RBI-single from senior David Barnes.

After Newberry pinch hitter Brandon Mand walked to lead off the bottom of the ninth, Strickland retired the next three Indians in order to end the game.

Bryson Smith paced ASU with a 2-for-5 effort with two runs scored. Jose Rosa went 3-for-3 for the Indians and Jovan Rohena added a pair of safeties.

Newberry returns the favor tomorrow, traveling to Augusta to take on the Jaguars in a 3:00 p.m. matchup at Jaguar Field.

Augusta State d. Newberry 5-3 (Box Score)