FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-18-01

College Baseball: No. 27 Armstrong Atlantic State 8, USC Aiken 6

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Sophomore Chris Boaen went 3-for-3 with three RBI to help the Armstrong Atlantic State Pirates salvage the third game of their three-game Peach Belt Conference series with USC Aiken, 8-6, on Sunday afternoon.

The Pirates (21-8, 6-6 PBC) took a 2-0 lead on Boaen's two-out, two-RBI double down the left field line in the second inning. The Pacers (14-13, 7-8 PBC) struck back with three runs in the top of the third inning, highlighted by Rocky Curnayn's two-RBI single, but AASU took back the lead in the bottom of the third with two runs on an error and a RBI double by Pat Daly.

AASU stretched its lead to 6-3 with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, while the Pacers answered with a run in the top of the sixth inning. In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Pirates picked up two important insurance runs, thanks to Boaen's leadoff double, a Ryan Chromek RBI single and a Kirk Nordness RBI single. USC Aiken would plate two runs in the top of the ninth and, with the tying run at the plate, Tavis Cummings grounded out to shortstop to end the game.

Kyle Blevins (3-1) pitched five innings, giving up just two hits and three runs, two earned, to pick up the win for the Pirates. Ross Koenig pitched two innings for his first save of the season, while the Pacers' Zach Conrad (2-5) gave up 10 hits and six runs, four earned, in five innings to take the loss.

Curnayn led the Pacers offensively with three hits and three RBI while Nate Grant also chipped in three hits. Boaen's 3-for-3 day led the Pirates, while Ryan Chromek, Pat Daly and Kirk Nordness each picked up two hits apiece for AASU.

AASU takes on Hillsdale in a non-conference game on Tuesday, March 20 at 2:00 p.m., while the Pacers next host non-conference opponent Barton College at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20.

- Pirates -