College Baseball: AASU 2-2, Lander 3-1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5-3-08

College Baseball: AASU 2-2, Lander 3-1

SAVANNAH, Ga. (May 3) – Tommy Ray’s pinch-hit single in the bottom of the ninth inning brought home the winning run as Armstrong Atlantic State edged Lander, 2-1, in the first game of a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, earning a berth into the 2008 PBC Baseball Championships. Lander salvaged a game of the three-game series by scoring three unearned runs in the top of the eighth inning and taking a 3-2 win in game two of the double dip.

Senior Chris Smith led off the bottom of the ninth in game one with a double off the left field fence. Michael Price then singled to right off of reliever Ches Courtney, setting up runners at first and third. With the infield drawn in, Ray delivered the pinch-hit single up the middle, scoring Smith with the winning run and putting the Pirates (27-21, 14-13 PBC) into the PBC tournament.

The single also made a winner of lefty Cody Walden (7-5), who hurled a complete-game five-hitter, giving up just one run while striking out nine for the Pirates. Jake Hover (2-5) took the loss for Lander, giving up 10 hits and two runs in eight-plus innings, striking out seven.

Everything looked good for the Pirates to get the sweep as AASU took an early 2-0 lead in game two, with two runs in the third inning on a Joey Davis RBI groundout and a heads-up play by Derrek Miller, who scored from second on an error by Lander shortstop A.J. Nunziato. Lander (20-33, 7-20 PBC), however, would surprise the Pirates in the eighth by plating three unearned runs off of closer Brandon McCreery (3-2). A dropped fly ball by Nick Pyron leading off the inning eventually led to Lander loading the bases loaded with two out. McCreery uncorked a wild pitch that scored Brooks Arnette for the first run, then pinch-hitter Josh Lovvorn then laced a single to right field that plated two, giving the Bearcats the 3-2 lead.

Lefthander Tim Rau (4-6) then put the cap on a complete-game performance, limiting the Pirates to two runs – one earned – while striking out two to pick up the win. McCreery gave up four hits and three unearned runs in two innings to take the loss.

Price led the Pirates in the doubleheader with four hits and two stolen bases, while Smith collected a pair of doubles and three hits in the game one win. Malcolm McLeod led the Bearcats with four hits in the doubleheader, while Gabe McCann had three hits and two steals.

AASU will now advance to the PBC Championships as the No. 6 seed. The Pirates will face top-seed Columbus State on Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. at Roberto Hernandez Stadium in Aiken, S.C. AASU is the defending PBC Tournament champion, capturing the school’s first-ever title last season in Spartanburg.

- Pirates -