College Baseball: No. 18 Valdosta State 11, AASU 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4-15-08

College Baseball: No. 18 Valdosta State 11, AASU 3

SAVANNAH, Ga. (April 15) – No. 18-ranked Valdosta State put up a trio of three-run frames to pick up an 11-3 collegiate baseball victory over host Armstrong Atlantic State on Tuesday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The Blazers (28-13-1) led, 2-1, in the top of the fourth inning but plated three on an RBI groundout, an RBI double by Jon Koenigsfeld and an RBI single by Logan Pierce. Sho Kohata’s two-run single capped a three-run fifth inning, then Chase Blackwood’s three-run blast in the top of the sixth ended the stretch and gave Valdosta State the commanding lead.

The Pirates’ only runs came in the second, on a solo home run by junior Nick Pyron, and in the eighth inning, on a two-run double by freshman Matt Tufts.

Valdosta State starter Jeremy Forbus (4-1) hurled five innings of five-hit ball, giving up just one run while striking out three to pick up the victory. Thomas Tripp gave up two runs in four innings of work, earning his first save of the season. Westley Lucas (0-2) did not make it through the fourth inning, giving up two hits and four runs, walking six in three-plus innings to take the loss for the Pirates (23-15).

Pierce had a four-hit day for the Blazers, the only VSU player to collect more than one hit in the game. AASU was led by Michael Price and Joey Davis, who each collected three-hit days, while Pyron finished the day with two hits and two runs scored.

AASU returns to action on Friday, April 18, with a Peach Belt Conference contest at Columbus State, opening a three-game series with the league-leading Cougars. First pitch is at 7:00 p.m.

- Pirates -