FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 2-2-02

College Baseball: No. 18 AASU 11-9, Tusculum 6-2

SAVANNAH, Ga. – No. 18-ranked AASU improved to 6-0 with a college baseball doubleheader sweep of visiting Tusculum College, 11-6 and 9-2, at Pirate Field on Saturday.

Early on in the first game it looked as if Tusculum (0-3) would spoil the Pirates' perfect record as they took advantage of two first-inning errors to plate six unearned runs, taking a 6-0 lead before AASU got a chance to bat. When they did, though, the Pirates rapped out 10 hits in the first two innings, plating seven runs to retake the lead and go on to the 11-6 victory.

Senior Brian Allen (1-0) hurled 6 2/3 scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win for the Pirates, while Tusculum starter Kenny Lewis (0-1) gave up seven runs - six earned - in 1 1/3 innings pitched to take the loss.

In the second game, the Pirates rode the strong starting effort of freshman Jason Hawkins (1-0) to the doubleheader sweep. The southpaw Hawkins gave up six hits and two runs - one earned - in 5 1/3 innings of action for his first collegiate victory. Pioneers starter Justin Clark (0-1) gave up 10 hits and seven runs - four earned - in 4 2/3 innings pitched to take the loss in game two for Tusculum.

AASU was led offensively by senior catcher David Harriman, who went 7-for-8 in the doubleheader with five RBI. Senior Matt Easterwood went 3-for-8 with three RBI and senior Kirk Nordness went 2-for-8 with a two-run home run in the first game, his third of the season. Tusculum was led offensively by center fielder Mike Holt's three hits.

The Pirates and the Pioneers conclude their four-game series on Sunday, February 3 with a Noon start at Pirate Field.

- Pirates -