FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2-11-07

College Baseball: No. 28 AASU 8, Florida Tech 7 (10 inn.)

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Truman Marek’s one-out single drove home Tyler Evans with the winning run in the bottom of the 10^th inning as No. 28-ranked Armstrong Atlantic fended off Florida Tech, 8-7, on Sunday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The game looked like anything but an extra inning affair as the Pirates (6-1) held a 7-0 lead going into the top of the eighth inning. With two outs, the Panthers (3-2) rallied for seven runs, tying the game when two runs scored on a bases-loaded error by AASU shortstop Josh Dallas.

The Pirates had a chance to win it in the bottom of the ninth, but Florida Tech reliever Jody Danca got out of a two-on, one-out jam by striking out Brad Bohannon and getting Dallas to fly out to right, sending the game to extra innings.

Marek (1-0) moved from right field to the mound for the Pirates in the top of the 10^th and struck out the side, then came up to bat with one down in the bottom of the 10^th and Tyler Evans on first after a single. Evans stole second, then Marek lined a 1-2 pitch back up the middle for the game-winning hit, scoring Evans, and giving himself his first win as a pitcher for the Pirates. Danca (0-1) took the loss, giving up two hits and one run in 1 1/3 innings pitched.

Evans and Marc Noble each collected three hits for the Pirates, while Sean Hotzak had a bases-clearing double in the first inning for three RBI. Marek finished 2-for-5 with two RBI, while Florida Tech was led by Nick Brennan’s three hits and three stolen bases. Eric Trillas and Brendan Twomey added two hits apiece for the Panthers.

The Pirates are next in action on Friday, February 16, as AASU hosts Southern Connecticut State at 2:00 p.m. at Pirate Field.

- Pirates -