By Chris Whitaker
The Americus Times-Recorder

AUGUSTA — Georgia Southwestern had a defensive breakdown with four errors in the fourth inning as Augusta State won its first conference game of the season 9-6 on Sunday.

The Hurricanes (14-7, 6-3 PBC) fell behind 8-0 before their rally fell short.

“It was disappointing from the point I thought it was probably the worst game we’ve played all year from a mental standpoint,” said coach Bryan McLain. “We’ve had games where we made errors, but they were more physical in nature. We just didn’t do things very well from a mental perspective and didn’t make good decisions.”

Two players were picked off at first base, and pitcher Tyler Daniel had two of the four errors in the fourth, including a throw to third for an out that got away, allowing the Jaguars (9-18, 1-8) to score and go up 6-0.

After a pair of good performances on the mound on Saturday, Daniel (2-3) got in trouble in the first inning, allowing four runs. He was pulled in the fourth, being charged with four more runs, all unearned.

“We made a bad decision in an error where we gave them all those runs in terms of trying to get an out where we probably didn’t have a chance to get it,” said McLain. “When you’re down 4-5-6 runs, you can’t take risks that you can take when you’re up 4-5-6 runs. We can’t make those mistakes like that, and it’s really the first time we’ve done it all year. I think it was one of those deals where it sometimes don’t go our way, and it definitely didn’t go our way Sunday.”

GSW scored one in the fifth and two in the sixth when Tony Baker’s RBI-triple made the score 9-3. Baker also had a two-run home run in the first inning.

Bud Long, Trent Dooley and Jared Allen all had two hits apiece for GSW, and Kevin Carroll had two RBI in the loss. Allen and Paschel Poston each had a double.

Casey Hanrahan and Caleb Saggus had two hits each for Augusta. Curtis Parker (1-0) got the win, pitching five innings and allowing one run on three hits.

The Hurricanes sit third in the West division, and McLain said they are in a good situation through three conference series.

“For us to be up in the game as far as the standings go compared to the three years prior, it’s like night and day,” he said. “That’s a credit to these young men. They’re doing a great job in continuing to work and practice and prepare themselves for the goals they set. I’m excited for them and proud to be their coach.”

GSW is back in action today at 5 p.m. when it hosts Thomas.