FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-7-00

College Baseball: No. 21 AASU 9, Adelphi 2

SAVANNAH, Ga. – No. 21 Armstrong Atlantic State scored five first-inning runs and cruised to a 9-2 win over Adelphi in 2000 Savannah Invitational action on Tuesday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The Pirates (15-5) sent 11 batters to the plate in the first inning and were aided by Adelphi starter Bryan Rose's four hit batters in the inning. The Pirates added a run in the third, two in the fourth and one in the fifth for a 9-0 lead. Adelphi (1-5) scored its only runs on a two-run home run by Henry Castillo in the eighth inning.

Adelphi's Rose tied an NCAA Division II record by hitting seven batters in the game. Chuck Ashcroft of North Alabama also hit seven batters in a game on March 21, 1987. In all, Rose gave up nine runs on eight hits in seven innings to take the loss for the Panthers. B.J. Brinkmeier (3-2) pitched the complete game for the Pirates to pick up the victory, giving up two runs and striking out six.

Senior Jimmy LaRose led the Pirates offensively with two hits and two runs scored, including a double. Junior Haydn Chinn had two RBI, including an RBI triple in the first inning. Junior Bryan Beckmann was hit three times by pitches and scored two runs.

Armstrong's four hit batters in the first inning and eight overall set new Peach Belt Athletic Conference records for players being hit by pitches.

AASU returns to the field on Wednesday, March 8 against Grand Valley State for a 2 p.m. game at Pirate Field in continuing action in the Savannah Invitational. Adelphi will face Wayne State at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

- Pirates -