FLORENCE, S.C. - Augusta State downed Lander 4-1 in game one of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament at Francis Marion University on Friday. The Jags outlasted the Bearcats to move on to play UNC Pembroke in the second round of the tournament, but dropped 2-1 against the No. 1 seed in nine innings.

In game one against Lander, the Jags had a second inning rally to drive in the four runs to take the win. Alyssa Pingree started off the inning with a single, with Meghan Battle coming in to pinch run. After a sacrifice bunt by Kayla Hicks, Anna Cheely doubled to left moving Battle to third. Anna Tedder walked, and with runners on second and third, Angii Verbeelen singled and advanced to second on a throwing error, plating two runs. Amber Hunt then singled to center field to drive in Verbeelen and Tedder to put the Jags up 4-0.

The Bearcats lone run came in the sixth inning when Lindsey Whitfield scored on Daisy Stewart's sacrifice fly.

Lander’s Austin Murray was tagged with the loss as she struck out six, walked five and allowed four earned runs on four hits in five innings pitched. ASU's Jacklyn Benenhaley earned the win, striking out one and allowing just one run on five hits in 5.1 innings pitched.

In game two versus UNC Pembroke, the Jags got on the board first with a home run from senior Cheely in the third inning. The Jags held the 1-0 lead until the sixth inning when Jelena Shaw singled to left field then stole second base. Candace Evans singled through the left side, advanced to second on the throw, and drove in Shaw to tie the game at 1-1.

The Braves came back in the ninth inning for the win when Loren Bartz walked. After Christy Freeland came in to pinch run, Katie Linkous singled to right field to advance Freeland to third. Freeland scored an unearned run on a Jaguar error to take the game 2-1.

Cheely led the Jags going 2-for-3 at the plate scoring the only run for ASU, while Amy Dumas went 2-4.

For the Braves, Martika Elmore took the win pitching all nine innings giving up seven hits and seven strikeouts. For the Jags, Dumas received the loss pitching 8.1 innings only giving up five hits with 14 strikeouts.

ASU will return to play tomorrow in the tournament, moving to the loser’s bracket where they will take on the winner of Saturday's Lander-Columbus State game. Game time is set for 1:00 pm.

For complete boxscores check out the Peach Belt Conference website at www.peachbelt.com/sports/sball/2007-08/news/2008sbchamppage