(Story courtesy Augusta GreenJackets)
NORTH AUGUSTA -: After allowing four unanswered runs for a frustrating loss in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader, the Augusta GreenJackets (24-21, 59-52) tossed a combined seven-inning shutout in game two to split the day against the Charleston RiverDogs (26-21, 63-50).
Game one started off promising for the home side, as the Jackets tagged starter Jacob Kuhn for three runs in the first inning. Cooper McMurray cracked a two-run double to open the scoring, before a sacrifice fly from Caleb Klein confirmed a crooked number in the offense’s first chance. Unfortunately for Augusta, that would be all the offense they would muster, as Kuhn settled in for three scoreless frames before Miguel Toscano retired nine straight batters in the shortened contest.
The RiverDogs methodically worked back into the game, scoring two against Landon Beidelschies in the third as two walks led to two runs. The Dogs would tie things up in the fifth against Cristobal Abreu as a walk and error extended the inning before Taitn Gray hit an equalizing single. Finally, in the seventh, miscues again led to a run as a walk and two wild pitches from Logan Forsythe scored the winning run in the final inning.
In game two, it was all about the pitching, as Luis Arestigueta produced the best performance of his pro career. After a pair of tough starts since returning to the rotation, Arestigueta went six scoreless innings for the first time in his pro career, striking out seven batters while keeping the RiverDogs completely at bay. Charleston did not get a man past first base all night, in large part due to a pair of caught stealings by Tanner Smith.
Offensively, Augusta broke through in the bottom of the third, using a solo homer from Caden Merritt to get on the board against Ethan Storm. Storm would hold serve until the fifth, when McMurray again came through with a two-out, two-run base hit to add the necessary insurance. Styven Paez would close out the win with a hitless final inning, and the Jackets posted their first shutout since July 1.
With one game left in the series, the Jackets have a chance to secure a series split with Brody Fowler on the mound Sunday. Charleston will likely use Luke Jackson as an opener for the second time this week, with a handful of arms available in relief.
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