AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Lander baseball team fell behind early and could not draw back even as Augusta evened the Peach Belt Conference series with an 11-5 win on Saturday afternoon. 

Lander (13-21, 8-9 PBC) found itself in a 3-0 hole after the first inning, but pulled within a run in the top of the third, thanks a leadoff home run from Kyle Jenkins and an RBI ground out from Bailey Connell. However, Augusta (16-17, 5-15 PBC) answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning to build a 5-2 lead. 

The Jaguars' lead swelled to 8-2 in the bottom of the fourth, but the Bearcats loaded the bases in the top of the seventh and plated three runs on an RBI ground out from Nathan Schreckengost and a two-run double off the bat of Connell. Augusta plated three insurance rusn in the bottom of the eighth to seal the win. 

Davis Cunningham (3-4) took the loss for Lander, allowing three runs on five hits in 2.0 innings. Christian Griffin (2-5) went 7.0 innings for Augusta, issuing six walks and five strikeouts with five runs allowed on six hits. Zack Goble tossed 2.0 shutout innings to earn the save. 

Lander and Augusta will play the rubber game Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.