After a pair of one-run efforts the previous two nights, the Augusta GreenJackets found their offensive strength Friday night.

An announced crowd of 5,722 fans, the second largest in the history of Lake Olmstead Stadium, watched the GreenJackets pound out 14 hits in a 9-2 victory over the Lexington Legends.

The home crowd was treated to a show of power. Starting right fielder James Simmons, playing in his first series since a June 10 knee injury, went 3 for 5 with a two-run homer in the seventh inning. His second home run of the season gave Augusta an 8-2 lead.

"I've been trying to get back into the groove, working on timing and everything since I came back," Simmons said. "I had some good ones tonight, but that last one I squared it up right on the money."

GreenJackets starter Ari Ronick struck out nine in 6w innings. He entered the seventh with a four-hit shutout but was pulled after allowing two runs on three hits. Reliever Chris Wilson came in with the bases loaded and two outs and struck out Ebert Rosario to end the threat. Wilson struck out two and held Lexington scoreless over the final two innings.

Five GreenJackets turned in multi-hit nights at the plate. Leadoff man Dom Duggan walked in the first and scored on an RBI single from Charlie Culberson (3 for 4) for an early lead. Designated hitter Andy D'Alessio (2 for 4) drove in two more runs with a double in the third, and Josh Mazzola, who leads the South Atlantic League in RBI, drove in Nos. 55 and 56 of the season with a double in the bottom the fifth inning.

"Everybody was driving in runs at the right times. We had some clutch hitting tonight," GreenJackets manager Dave Machemer said. "And Ronick has been just nails for us all year long."

Lexington starter Brad Dydalewicz (4-3) got the loss after allowing six earned runs on eight hits in 4Q innings. Brian Wabick threw a scoreless sixth before Arcenio Leon gave up Simmons' homer in the seventh and walked Juan Perez with the bases loaded in the eighth.