FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-23-01

College Baseball: Armstrong Atlantic State 6, Kutztown 4

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The host Armstrong Atlantic State Pirates brought the 2001 Savannah Invitational to a close with a 6-4 win over Kutztown on Friday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The Golden Bears (11-6) jumped on AASU starter Kyle Blevins for three runs in the first inning, highlighted by Al Fitch's two-RBI single, but the Pirates (23-8) came back with single runs in the bottom of the first and second innings, then took the lead, 4-3, on Jason Pruitt's RBI double in the bottom of the third inning.

AASU added two insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh inning when Ryan Chromek doubled to lead off the inning. Matt Easterwood walked and, with two outs, Pat Daly singled up the middle, driving in Chromek. An errant throw by Kutztown pitcher Danny Nelson, backing up behind home plate, allowed Easterwood to score.

Meanwhile, Blevins (4-1) had settled down after the rocky first inning, scattering five hits and allowing no runs until the eighth inning, when the Golden Bears threatened, loading the bases with two outs. After an error by shortstop Chris Boaen brought in an unearned run, reliever Andrew Moss struck out KU's Mike Waldt and then pitched a perfect ninth inning for his first save.

Blevins picked up the win for AASU, giving up seven hits and four runs, three earned, in 7 2/3 innings pitched. Nelson allowed 10 hits and six runs, five earned, in 6 2/3 innings to take the loss for the Golden Bears. Chromek led the Pirates by going 4-for-4 with two runs scored, while Kirk Nordness added two hits for AASU. Fitch, Chris Lauwers and Dennis Dungee each had two hits apiece for Kutztown.

The Pirates, who wrapped up action in the Savannah Invitational with an 11-1 record, next travel to No. 3-ranked North Florida for a three-game PBC series beginning tomorrow, March 24, at 1:00 p.m.

- Pirates -