FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4-17-05

College Baseball: No. 23 AASU 8, Columbus State 7 (11 inn.)

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Freshman Jared Combs launched a solo home run in the bottom of the 11th inning to give Armstrong Atlantic State a come-from-behind 8-7 victory over visiting Columbus State in Peach Belt Conference action at Pirate Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Pirates (27-10, 8-9 PBC) needed the late heroics because Columbus State (20-25, 8-15 PBC) jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead with the first five batters of the game. CSU hitters Stephen Worrell and Trent Bianco greeted AASU starter Chris Webb with two-run home runs in the first to stake the Cougars to the lead.

AASU battled back and cut the lead to 4-3 in the fifth, but CSU extended the lead to 7-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. That’s when the Pirates began their rally as a single by Combs, a double by Brandon Nunez and a walk to Jonnie Geiger loaded the bases against CSU reliever Hurston Pittman. With one out, Pirate shortstop Adam Pelley hit a bases-clearing double over left fielder Brad Shea’s head that tied the game at 7-all and sent the game into extra innings.

The Pirates turned to closer Matt Nalutka (2-0) in the ninth inning and the reliever delivered with three innings of one-hit shutout ball, setting the stage for Combs’ game-winning home run in the bottom of the 11th. Combs hit a 3-2 pitch over the center field wall off of CSU lefthander Korey Noles (3-4) for the game-winner, which gave the Pirates the PBC series win. Nalutka’s win was also his 20th straight scoreless appearance this season, while Noles gave up one run and three hits in three innings to take the loss for the Cougars.

Pelley drove in five runs on three hits for the Pirates, while Combs finished the day with three hits and the key home run. Worrell had a four-hit, three-RBI day for the Cougars.

The Pirates return to action on Tuesday afternoon as they host Valdosta State in a 3:30 non-conference contest at Pirate Field.

- Pirates -