FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-19-00

College Softball: No. 3 AASU 7-4, Francis Marion 1-1

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The No. 3-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State softball team swept a Peach Belt Athletic Conference doubleheader from Francis Marion, 7-1 and 4-1, on Sunday afternoon at AASU.

The Pirates (26-1, 6-0 PBAC) rapped out 11 hits and scored seven runs in game one, providing plenty of support for sophomore Annie Sells, who fired a two-hitter with 10 strikeouts, giving up only one unearned run. Junior Crystal McCracken had a three-run home run in the first inning and junior Tesh Wiewel had three hits on the day, including a solo shot. Sells improved to 10-0 with the win, while the Patriots' Janet Rice was tagged with the loss after giving up six runs in 2 1/3 innings.

In the second game, the Pirates' Julie King entered the game with a 2-1 lead in the third inning and hurled five innings of shutout ball, with six strikeouts, for her eighth win of the season. Junior Holly Schilling collected three hits to lead the Pirates offensively, while Kelly Horak and Tracie Wondra each had two hits apiece for the Patriots (19-9, 0-6 PBAC).

AASU next hosts West Virginia State on Wednesday, March 22 at 1:00 p.m. in a non-conference doubleheader at Pirate Field. Francis Marion next plays at Gardner Webb on Thursday, March 23 at 1:00 p.m.

- Pirates -