EL DORADO — The Augusta Orioles American Legion baseball team had some tense moments against the upset-minded El Dorado Post 81 squad Thursday night in their doubleheader, but were able to come away from McDonald Stadium with a sweep.
The Orioles beat El Dorado 12-7 in the first game, and completed the sweep with a late charge to win the nightcap 4-2 to force El Dorado to have to extend its losing streak to 15 games.
Jeff Scharff was the big offensive threat for Augusta (15-12) in the first game, going 4 for 5 with three runs batted in and two stolen bases.
Tyler Patty led El Dorado(1-16) at the plate with three hits, two runs scored, two RBI, and two stolen bases.
The Orioles exploded for six runs in the top of the second inning in the opener. Matt Spurgeon and Ajay Shenold hit two-run singles, while Scharff had two hits in the inning — including a RBI double — and Jacob Smith had an RBI-single.
El Dorado came back with seven runs in the bottom of the second and third innings to take the lead. It scored two runs in the second on a RBI-single by Milton Good, with Stuart Kelley recording the other run on a fielding error.
El Dorado scored five runs in the third on two-run singles by Kelley and Patty. Ben Helfrich later scored on a wild pitch. Five of the runs were charged to starter Kyle Vogt, while the final two were charged to Jason Lauxman.
Augusta's second big inning came in the fifth, scoring five runs off McNown and losing pitcher Kelley. After the Orioles scored their first run on an El Dorado error, Spurgeon and James Hinman hit RBI singles, and Scharff followed with a two-run double.
The Orioles added one more run in the sixth when Cody Patten singled, stole third base and scored on a throwing error.
Lauxman shut down El Dorado after the third inning to earn the victory. He gave up only two singles in the final four innings.
El Dorado got out to the lead in the nightcap on an RBI-single by Ryan Gomez in the second.
Augusta answered in the top of the third when Spurgeon reached base on a fielder’s choice, went to third on a hit-and-run play by Hinman, and scored on a passed ball.
Both teams added runs in the fourth inning. Lauxman hit an RBI-single in the top of the frame. El Dorado answered when Baylor Parker singled, stole second, went to third on a single by Mark McNown, and scored on a passed ball.
Neither team could take advantage of runners in scoring position in the fifth and sixth innings, but Augusta was able to take advantage of the bases loaded and two outs when Ajay Shenold hit a two-run double off losing pitcher Good.
Seth Smith allowed El Dorado to get seven hits in a complete game effort, while striking out four for the victory; while Shenold had two hits in the win.
