FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2-3-08
College Baseball: AASU 8, No. 3 Florida Southern 7
SAVANNAH, Ga. (February 3) – Armstrong Atlantic State plated two runs in the bottom of the ninth to record a second-straight come-from-behind victory, edging No. 3-ranked Florida Southern by an 8-7 score to complete the three-game opening weekend series sweep.
The Pirates (3-0) swept a nationally-ranked squad in three games for the first time since April 14-15, 2006, when AASU took three at No. 7 Columbus State.
The Mocs looked like they would salvage a game in the series after a five-run third inning gave them a 5-1 lead. Brian Schultz drove in three with a bases-loaded double, while Will Cherry knocked an RBI double as well in the frame. A solo home run by AASU’s Joey Davis cut the lead to 5-2, but the Mocs added two more in the sixth on a single by David Golliner and a double play ball that brought a run home.
AASU started its comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring four runs with two outs. Michael Price drew a walk, then three straight hits from pinch hitter Chris Smith, Josh Wilson and Kenny Cail brought home three runs, then a Nick Pyron single plated Cail to cut the lead to just one, 7-6.
In the bottom of the ninth, Chris Smith led off with a grounder to third, which Arden McWilliams threw high to first base, allowing Smith to reach second. Josh Wilson’s infield hit put runners at the corners, then Cail tied the game with a single up the middle, chasing reliever Ryan Koch (0-1). First baseman Brian Schultz came in to pitch to Nick Pyron, and on Pyron’s sacrifice bunt, Schults threw high to third base, allowing Wilson to score the winning run.
Junior Garrett Smith (1-0) hurled four innings of two-hit shutout ball, striking out two, to pick up the win for the Pirates. Cook gave up four hits and two unearned runs in 1 1/3 innings to take the loss for the Mocs.
Wilson finished the day with three hits and three runs scored, including a solo home run in the first inning, to lead the Pirates at the plate. Juan Dorado and Cail added two hits as well, while the Mocs were led by Will Cherry’s two hits and Schultz’s three RBI.
The Pirates return to action on Saturday, February 9, with an 11:00 a.m. doubleheader against No. 10-ranked Southern Indiana at Pirate Field. Florida Southern is next in action on Tuesday, February 5, hosting Warner Southern at 7:00 p.m. in its home opener.
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