FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 2-15-03

College Baseball: No. 20 AASU 6-10, Lewis 4-0

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Junior George Fletcher's bases-clearing double in the fifth inning broke open a 2-0 game and helped the Pirates defeat Lewis, 10-0, and complete a doubleheader sweep over the Flyers on Saturday afternoon at Pirate Field. AASU took the first game of the double dip, 6-4.

AASU (8-0) scored single runs in the second and third innings of game two, then loaded the bases in the fifth without getting a ball out of the infield. Junior Michael Pelley beat out a high chopper to the pitcher, then junior Stacey Bennett was hit by a pitch. Junior Andrew Graham then beat out a bunt back to the pitcher, loading the bases for Fletcher's double to right field that broke the game open. Fletcher's four-RBI game was more than enough support for senior Jeremy Olson (3-0), who hurled eight innings of three-hit shutout ball, striking out nine to pick up the victory. Lewis starter Matt Bowler (0-1) gave up 10 hits and six runs in four innings to take the loss.

In the first game, the Pirates sprinted out to a quick 6-1 lead by scoring two runs apiece in the second, third and fourth innings. Lewis (0-2) battled back, scoring single runs in the sixth inning on an Ahren Baranski solo home run, the seventh inning on a Scott Nawrocki RBI single and in the eighth inning on an RBI groundout. But junior Jon Troop closed out the game in the ninth for his second save of the season and made a winner out of AASU starter Curtis Morrison (3-0), who hurled five innings of three-hit, one-run ball, striking out seven for the win. Lewis starter Matt Petrusek (0-1) gave up 10 hits and six runs in five innings to take the loss.

Fletcher and senior Chris Boaen each led the Pirates on the day with five hits apiece. Lewis' Mike Godfrey collected three hits in seven at-bats to lead the Flyers.

Both teams will wrap up their series with an 11:00 a.m. contest on Sunday at Pirate Field.

- Pirates -