FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-6-06

College Baseball: No. 9 AASU 10, No. 24 Wayne State (Neb.)

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Junior first baseman Daniel Heflin tied a school record with four doubles, and Brandon Stelter rescued the Armstrong Atlantic baseball squad by pitching out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the ninth as the No. 9-ranked Pirates clipped No. 24 Wayne State, 10-7, on Monday afternoon in the 2006 Savannah Invitational.

The Pirates (15-0-1) pounded out 15 hits in the win, led by Heflin’s four doubles, which tied a school record set previously by Steve Young (1993) and Kirk Rahn (1982). The game seemed secure in the top of the ninth when AASU took a 10-5 lead against Wayne State (7-4), but the Wildcats collected three straight hits off of closer Matt Nalutka, then a one-out error by Truman Marek in right field allowed two runners to score. With the bases loaded and just one out, sophomore Brandon Stelter was summoned from the bullpen to protect the three-run lead. Stelter got pinch hitter Brandon McDaniel to foul out to first base, then struck out Alex Koch to preserve the victory, picking up the save.

Armstrong Atlantic starter Jacob Roberson hurled five innings and gave up just three runs, but was tagged for 10 hits and was not involved in the decision. David Whitfield (1-0) picked up the win for the Pirates in relief as he hurled 1 1/3 innings of two-hit shutout relief, becoming the 10th different pitcher to pick up a victory for AASU this season. Wayne State reliever Travis Mortimore (1-1) worked two innings, giving up five hits and four runs to take the loss for the Wildcats.

Every starter for both teams reached base in the game that featured 32 hits between the clubs. Dustin Jones had a 4-for-5 hit day for the Wildcats, while Heflin’s four hits led the Pirates.

The Pirates return to action on Tuesday as they host Concord at 2:00 p.m. in continuing 2006 Savannah Invitational action at Pirate Field. Wayne State also continues action in Savannah Invitational against SIU Edwardsville at Noon on Tuesday.

- Pirates -