Jackets Complete Sweep in Final Regular Season Home Game
Published on August 29, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
Augusta, GA - The Augusta GreenJackets (41-28, 45-21) completed the three game sweep of the Hickory Crawdads (30-40, 20-46) on Friday night with an 8-1 win in the final regular season home game. Starter Scott Barnes got the win and Augusta scored seven times in the second inning as Augusta surpassed the 200,000 mark for fan attendance in 2008.
With two outs and Augusta already leading 1-0 in the second inning, Elio Sarmiento singled and James Simmons and Dom Duggan worked back-to-back walks to load the bases. Garrett Baker followed with a three-run double for a 4-0 Augusta lead.
Juan Ciriaco worked a walk then Thomas Neal connected for a three-run homer and Angel Villalona followed with a solo home run for an 8-0 lead.
Barnes (3-2) worked six innings and allowed one run on four hits. The right-hander did not walk a batter and struck out six.
Hickory's one run came in the sixth inning on an RBI sac-fly to right-field from Matt Hague scoring Greg Picart. The Crawdads loaded the bases up on three consecutive singles but could only get one run off of Barnes.
The GreenJackets took the early 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI ground out from Neal scoring Duggan.
Relievers Mitch Lively, Henry Sosa and Trey Webb each worked a scoreless inning in relief for Augusta.
The GreenJackets begin a three game road series to finish up the regular season in Asheville, NC against the Tourists on Saturday night. It's a preview of the SAL Southern Division Championship Series with both playoff bound teams meeting up. Augusta sends left-hander Craig Clark (8-4, 3.53) to the mound while Asheville counters with right-hander Bruce Billings (9-11, 4.09). First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.
Game Notes:
The GreenJackets finished the regular season 48-22 at home, 28-7 since the All-Star Break.
Augusta improved to a season high 37 games over the .500 mark (86-49).
Augusta recorded its eighth sweep of the season.
Augusta has 12 home runs over the past five games matching a season high mark for home runs in consecutive games.
The GreenJackets had back-to-back home runs for the second time this season.
The GreenJackets paid attendance was 4,993 for a franchise high of 200,222 for the season.
Augusta opens the playoffs with Game 1 of the SAL Southern Division Series on September 3 at Lake Olmstead Stadium.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 29, 2008
- Power clinch division with doubleheader split - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Crawdads Swept by Augusta - Hickory Crawdads
- Drive Steam Roll Past Tourists, 16-0 - Greenville Drive
- Charleston Sinks Rome Again - Rome Emperors
- Shorebirds pull out close win - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Tourists routed by Drive - Asheville Tourists
- Lakewood closes out home slate with 5-2 loss to Hagerstown - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Mense Continues Offensive Outburst - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Jackets Complete Sweep in Final Regular Season Home Game - Augusta GreenJackets
- Late rally lifts Suns - Hagerstown Suns
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