Augusta, GA – The Augusta GreenJackets (1-0) opened the 2008 South Atlantic League Championship Series with a 9-3 win over the West Virginia Power (0-1) on Monday night. Starter Craig Clark recorded the win while Juan Ciriaco and James Simmons each drove in three runs.

Augusta jumped on Power starter R.J. Seidel early scoring six runs in the first inning and sending 10 batters to the plate. Shane Jordan and Nick Noonan began the first with back-to-back singles then Ciriaco followed with a three-run homer to put Augusta up 3-0.

Simmons connected for a one out, two-run single then Dom Duggan followed with an RBI infield single for a 6-0 lead.

Augusta added three more runs in the second inning for a 9-0 lead and to case Seidel from the game. With the bases loaded and nobody out Angel Villalona connected for an RBI single then Garrett Baker followed with an RBI sac-fly to deep centerfield. Simmons came through two batters later with an RBI ground out to cap off the scoring.

Clark (1-0) worked six innings and allowed two runs, one earned, one six hits. The lefty did not walk a batter and struck out eight in his first postseason appearance in 2008.

The GreenJackets and Power will hook up for Game 2 of the SAL Championship Series Tuesday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium. Augusta will send left-hander Madison Bumgarner (1-0, 0.00) to the mound for his second postseason start. West Virginia counters with lefty Daniel Merklinger (7-9, 5.75), making his first postseason appearance. First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. with gates opening at 6:05 p.m. for the final game in the 2008 season at Lake Olmstead Stadium.