Homer edges Briarwood past Augusta Christian

In spite of losing many of its key players before the start of the season, Augusta Christian Schools continued to show resilience by nearly clawing their way to victory Saturday over the Briarwood Buccaneers, falling 11-10 on a last-inning homer.

The Lions showed offensive punch early, tallying three runs in the second inning, Briarwood's Buccaneers came back in the third inning run for run, then registered three more in the fourth compared with just one run that inning for Augusta Christian. The visiting Bucs added two more runs in the fifth and two in the sixth and seemed destined to sprint away with the game.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Lions fought back offensively, earning six runs and demonstrating plenty of speed and hitting power. Augusta Christian took advantage of every opportunity to steal bases, and the rally seemed enough to change the game as the score stood tied 10-10.

The Lions' efforts fell short by just one run - a home run blasted over the fence by the first Briarwood batter to take the plate in the last inning.

The Lions showed plenty of fielding prowess after that, stopping short the renewed momentum of the visitors, but it was too late to change the outcome as they slipped into defeat by one run.

"We've got to be more consistent," said Coach Craig Johnson of Augusta Christian.

Errors have cost the Lions this year, and this game was no exception as they totaled five for the game.

Still, it didn't help that two of the top three batters were out of action Saturday. It hurt too that one of those players was scheduled to take the mound before a muscle injury benched him.

Fewer errors and a full roster may help the Lions regain some of the strength they exhibited in the three-game win earlier in the season in a Perry, Ga., tournament.