FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-14-07

College Baseball: No. 6 Kutztown 8, AASU 2

SAVANNAH, Ga. – No. 6-ranked Kutztown broke open a close game with six runs over the final two innings to pick up an 8-2 win over host Armstrong Atlantic State in 2007 Savannah Invitational action at Pirate Field on Wednesday afternoon.

The Golden Bears (13-1) won their sixth straight game by rapping out 12 hits against the Pirates (14-8) in their second game of the day. Prior to meeting AASU, Kutztown edged Fairmont State, 2-1, on Wednesday morning.

Armstrong Atlantic led, 1-0, scoring on a squeeze bunt by Josh Dallas that drove in Sean Hotzak, but the Golden Bears answered with two runs in the top of the fifth inning on back-to-back solo home runs by Mike McCardell and Jason Mills to lead off the inning. Kutztown stretched the lead to 4-1 in the top of the eighth, then broke the game open with four runs in the top of the ninth, highlighted by Nate Kranz’ two-run single down the right field line.

Ryan Cassidy picked up the win for the Golden Bears, hurling 5 1/3 innings and giving up just four hits and one run. Vyt Rivers (2-2) took the loss for the Pirates, giving up eight hits and four runs – three earned – in eight innings pitched.

Kranz drove in three runs on the day for the Golden Bears, while McCardell, Mills and Chad Lightcap each collected two hits. Hotzak’s double was the only extra-base hit for the Pirates on the day.

The Pirates and the Golden Bears will match up again on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Pirate Field.

- Pirates -