FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4-3-03

College Baseball: No. 8 AASU 6, No. 9 Valdosta State 3

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Junior Stacy Bennett’s two-run double in the bottom of the seventh inning scored the go-ahead runs and gave the No. 8-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State baseball squad a 6-3 victory over visiting No. 9-ranked Valdosta State at Pirate Field on Thursday afternoon.

Valdosta State (29-9) jumped out in front in the top of the first inning, plating three runs against AASU starter Brian Dice. Josh Grube doubled home Josh Veres with the first run of the game, then Greg Connell laced an RBI double to left field and David Lewis knocked an RBI single to center for the Blazers’ three runs.

The Pirates (24-6) fought back to tie in the bottom of the fourth inning when junior Brandon McKinnon launched an 0-2 curveball over the left field wall for a three-run home run off of Valdosta State starter Jason Van Nus, tying the game.

AASU then took the lead for good in the seventh inning when Matt Stephens reached on a throwing error by Grube and senior Chris Boaen walked, leading to Bennett’s two-RBI double to center field. The Blazers’ Brandon Wolcott relieved Van Nus and senior Adam Brandenburg singled to right past a drawn-in infield to score Bennett and give the Pirates a 6-3 lead.

Junior Zach Shelnutt (3-0) picked up the win for the Pirates by hurling 2 1/3 innings of one-hit shutout ball, striking out two. Joey Smith picked up his first save of the season by pitching a scoreless ninth inning. Van Nus (0-1) took the loss for the Blazers, giving up six hits and six runs – five earned – while striking out eight batters in 6 1/3 innings pitched.

The Pirates will be next in action on Saturday, April 5, when they host No. 26 Francis Marion for Peach Belt Conference game at 2:00 p.m. at Pirate Field.

- Pirates -