FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4-16-05

College Baseball: No. 23 AASU 7-2, Columbus State 3-3

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Armstrong Atlantic State baseball squad split a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader with visiting Columbus State University on Saturday afternoon at Pirate Field. AASU took game one, 7-1, while Columbus State came back to win game two, 3-2.

Senior lefthander Jon Troop (10-2) became a 10-game winner for the first time in his career by limiting the Cougars to just two runs and six hits in six innings pitched, striking out four in game number one. He is the 17th AASU pitcher to reach double figures in wins in a single season and the third Pirate pitcher in the last two seasons to accomplish the feat (Jon Dobyns, Jeremy Olson – 2003). AASU (26-10, 7-9 PBC) scored two runs in each of the first three innings, then held on for the 7-3 victory. Columbus State (20-24, 8-14 PBC) loaded the bases in the ninth against AASU closer Matt Nalutka, but Nalutka worked out of the jam to record his 19th consecutive scoreless appearance of the season and secure the win. Nolan Pendleton (4-5) took the loss for the Cougars, giving up 11 hits and seven runs – six earned – in 3 1/3 innings.

In game two, it was Columbus State’s turn as David Brown hit a two-run home run in the third inning to stake the Cougars to a 2-0 lead. AASU rallied back to tie in the bottom of the fourth with two runs on Sean Hotzak’s RBI double and Brandon Nunez’ squeeze play, but Billy Howard led off the sixth inning with a solo home run, and Cougar starter Brian Baker (6-4) made the one-run lead stand as Columbus State took a 3-2 win. Baker gave up just six hits and two unearned runs while striking out nine in earning the victory. Chase Leatherwood (7-4) took the loss for the Pirates, giving up seven hits and all three runs in seven innings while striking out five.

Howard had a stellar day for the Cougars, going 3-for-4 with four walks and two runs scored. Shortstop Casey Cook added a four-hit day as well, while the Pirates were led by Jarin Lewis’ four hits and Miguel Donate’s two hits and three RBI.

The Pirates and the Cougars conclude their three-game PBC series with a single game on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.

- Pirates -