FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-7-05

College Baseball: AASU 2, California (Pa.) 1

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Sean Hotzak’s single up the middle drove home Rob Recuenco with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving Armstrong Atlantic a come-frombehind 2-1 collegiate baseball victory over California (Pa.) on Monday afternoon in 2005 Savannah Invitational action at Pirate Field.

The Pirates (14-1) began the ninth inning rally behind Recuenco, who lined an 0-2 pitch to center field for a double off of Vulcan starter Chris Doerschner (1-1). After an intentional walk to Adam Pelley placed runners on first and second, Hotzak showed bunt on the first two pitches from California (Pa.) reliever Ian Heisel, then hit a high chopper over the drawn-in infielders to drive home Recuenco with the winning run.

The late heroics were needed after Doerschner and AASU’s Chase Leatherwood matched up in a fine pitcher’s duel. Leatherwood struck out 13 in six innings for the Pirates, giving up just one run on a solo home run by the Vulcans’ Patrick Sadler in the fourth inning. Doerschner gave up a single run in the sixth on an RBI double by Adam Pelley to center field, but otherwise held the Pirates in check until the ninth, giving up six hits and striking out eight in eight-plus innings pitched.

AASU reliever Matt Nalutka (1-0) worked a scoreless ninth to pick up the win for the Pirates in relief. Pelley, Hotzak and Jonnie Geiger each had two hits apiece to lead AASU offensively, while Drew Aniceti was the only California (Pa.) hitter to collect two hits. Aniceti did swipe two bases for the Vulcans (3-4).

The Pirates return to action on Tuesday evening as they take on Wayne State (Neb.) in continuing 2005 Savannah Invitational action at historic Grayson Stadium at 6:00 p.m.

- Pirates -