AIKEN, S.C. - Augusta State (25-15, 6-10 PBC) used an extra-inning home run to take game one, 4-2, Thursday evening and plated a pair of early unearned runs to win game two 2-1 and sweep USC Aiken (21-26, 7-11 PBC) in a Peach Belt Conference softball doubleheader at J.H. Satcher Field.

ASU jumped ahead early in the opener, plating a pair of runs against USC Aiken starter Kristen Cochran, who started the game struggling to get control of her pitches. The senior walked the leadoff hitter before plunking the next two to load the bases. Ashley Roberts hit into a double play, and USCA was one out from getting out of the jam. However, Alyssa Pingree ripped a two-run single up the middle for the early lead.

After the early offense, the game turned into a pitchers' duel as Cochran settled down and ASU starter Jacklyn Benenhaley cruised through the first four innings.

The Lady Pacers threatened in the bottom of the fifth, getting singles from Amber Driggers and Toni Flessate and a walk to load the bases. Kimberly Kennedy relieved Benenhaley and retired Megan Lakes and Lauren Locklear to end the frame.

In the bottom of the sixth, USCA broke through to tie the game. Jessica Strickland led off with a single and Candice Hardee plated her one out later with a double to center. After the second out, Krista Bashline reached on a Lady Jag error, allowing Hardee to score the tying run.

Amy Dumas relieved Kennedy with one out and one on in the bottom of the seventh. After getting the second out, Dumas allowed a single to Strickland, putting Lakes in scoring position. However, Dumas induced Sheena Blackwell to pop up to send the game to extra innings.

After striking out the leadoff hitter in the eighth, Cochran allowed a single to Kayla Hicks. Augusta State sent up pinch-hitter Beth Gerlach, who delivered with the game-winning homerun to center. Dumas retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning.

Cochran (6-13) took the loss for the Lady Pacers, allowing four earned runs on 10 hits in eight complete innings. Dumas (9-4) earned the win in relief, allowing one hit and no runs in 1.2 innings.

Augusta State used an error in the third inning of the nightcap to plate the game's first two runs against Flessate. Jessie Sadlowsky reached on a one-out error, stole second, and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Leann Barber then singled in Sadlowsky before scoring on an RBI double from Amber Hunt.

The Lady Pacers cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning against ASU starter Jennifer Miller. Locklear led off with a single to left and scored two batters later on a Sheena Blackwell RBI single.

However, that USCA run would conclude the scoring for the night as Miller and Dumas combined to shut down the Lady Pacer bats the rest of the way. Flessate pitched well the rest of the way too, but the sophomore could not get the support from the offense.

Flessate fell to 9-9 on the season despite lowering her earned run average to a miniscule 0.89. The Lady Pacers have scored just eight combined runs in her last eight losses. Flessate allowed six hits and two unearned runs while walking two and striking out six.

Miller (4-4) took the win, allowing one run on five hits while walking two and striking out six. Dumas pitched the seventh for her seventh save of the season.

Augusta State travels to Milledgeville, Ga. Saturday, April 12 to face GC&SU in a Peach Belt Conference matchup. Game time is set for 2 p.m.

Augusta State d. USC Aiken 4-2  (BOX SCORE)
Augusta State d. USC Aiken 2-1 (BOX SCORE)