FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2-25-01

College Baseball: No. 26 Armstrong Atlantic State 6, Francis Marion 5

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Junior second baseman Trevor Rurak's bunt single drove home Matt Easterwood with the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving AASU a 6-5 victory over Francis Marion on Sunday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The Pirates (10-5, 5-4 PBC) had jumped out to a 4-0 lead, scoring single runs in the first and fifth inning and getting a two-run double from junior Rob Mills in the sixth inning, but the Patriots (7-7, 4-5) immediately answered with five runs in the top of the seventh inning, touching AASU reliever Justin Worrell for four runs and four hits in six batters.

AASU entered the bottom of the ninth inning trailing by two runs, but pinch hitter Ryan Chromek reached on an infield single, then Matt Easterwood bunted to Francis Marion pitcher Nat Stoner, who threw wildly to first, allowing Chromek to advance to third and Easterwood to second. Jason Pruitt hit a high-chopper to third base, driving home Chromek with the tying run and advancing Easterwood to third. With one out in the inning, Stoner intentionally walked the Pirates' Chris Boaen and Chris Dentler to set up Rurak's game-winning hit.

Andrew Moss (3-1) pitched 2 2/3 shutout innings of relief to pick up his third win of the season, while Stoner (1-3) suffered the loss for Francis Marion, giving up two runs in three innings.

The Pirates are next in action on Wednesday, February 28 as they begin hosting the 2001 Savannah Invitational. AASU hosts Queens (N.Y.) at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

- Pirates -