FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-9-04

College Baseball: No. 10 AASU 4, Wayne State (Neb.) 3

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A passed ball by Wayne State catcher Chris Pedroza with the bases loaded scored Rob Recuenco with the winning run as No. 10-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to take a 4-3 win in 2004 Savannah Invitational action at Pirate Field on Monday afternoon.

The Pirates trailed, 3-1, heading into the bottom of the ninth as Wayne State starter Travis McCarter limited AASU to just three hits and one unearned run in eight innings of work. McCarter, an ABCA All-America pitcher a year ago for the Wildcats (6-5), gave way to Russ Emerick to start the ninth inning and Emerick immediately found himself in trouble as AASU pinch hitter Dustin Thomas doubled to lead off the inning, then Sean Hotzak walked to place the tying run on first base with nobody out.

Emerick (0-1) looked like he would escape trouble as Brandon McKinnon’s bunt attempt turned into a fielder’s choice when Emerick threw out Thomas at third base for the first out of the inning, then Brandon Nunez struck out for the second out. The Pirates (16-5) completed the comeback, though, when Recuenco was hit by a pitch to load the bases, then sophomore Adam Pelley lined a two-run single to center field to tie the game. Michael Pelley was also hit by a pitch, reloading the bases, then Emerick delivered an inside pitch that popped off of Pedrova’s glove and rolled to the backstop, allowing Recuenco to score the winning run.

The come-from-behind win erased a forgetful day by the Pirates in the field as AASU committed six errors to lead to all three Wayne State runs. It is the most errors an AASU squad has committed in the field since Feb. 17, 2001, when the Pirates made six errors in a 6-4 loss to Lander.

Senior Zach Shelnutt earned the win, pitching a scoreless ninth inning to improve to 1-0 on the season. Emerick took the loss, giving up three runs – two earned – in 2/3 innings of work.

AASU next takes on Kutztown on Thursday, March 11, at 2:00 p.m. in continuing 2004 Savannah Invitational action at Pirate Field.

-Pirates-