College Baseball: AASU 6, No. 3 Florida Southern 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2-1-08

College Baseball: AASU 6, No. 3 Florida Southern 3

SAVANNAH, Ga. (February 1) – Senior Ross Partee hurled seven strong innings and senior catcher Derrek Miller drove in three runs with a pair of doubles to lead host Armstrong Atlantic State to a 6-3 season-opening collegiate baseball victory over No. 3-ranked Florida Southern on Friday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The Pirates (1-0) scored single runs in the second, fourth and sixth innings to build a 3-0 lead on the Mocs (0-1), but Florida Southern closed the gap to just one run with a two-run seventh inning. AASU put the game out of reach in the bottom of the seventh on Miller’s two-run double – his second double of the game – and senior Joey Davis’ RBI single, putting the Pirates ahead, 6-2. Florida Southern plated an unearned run in the top of the ninth to cap the scoring.

Partee (1-0) hurled seven innings, giving up just five hits and two runs while striking out seven to pick up the win. Sophomore Brandon McCreery pitched two hitless innings of relief, striking out two to preserve the win, while Florida Southern starter Ken Wadsworth (0-1) suffered the loss, going 4 1/3 innings and giving up five hits and two runs – one earned.

Miller’s two doubles and three RBI led the Pirates at the plate, while Davis finished the day with three hits. Five different players for Florida Southern picked up one hit and Will Cherry scored two of the Mocs’ three runs on the afternoon.

The win was the first on opening day for the Pirates since the 2005 season and the third straight season that AASU has opened the year against a nationally-ranked squad. The No. 3-ranked Mocs also represent the highest ranked team the Pirates have beaten since AASU defeated No. 3 Kennesaw State, 4-3, on February 16, 2004.

The Pirates and the Mocs continue their three-game series on Saturday with a single game at 1:00 p.m. at Pirate Field.

- Pirates -