FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4-27-00

AASU's McCracken and Sells Sweep PBAC Weekly Softball Awards
Duo Takes Pitcher, Player of the Week Awards For Second Week This Season

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Junior outfielder Crystal McCracken and sophomore pitcher Annie Sells were named the Peach Belt Athletic Conference's Player and Pitcher of the Week for April 26 by conference officials on Wednesday afternoon.

Sells blanked No. 4-ranked Kennesaw State twice as the Pirates captured the 2000 AASU Pirate Peach Belt Blast tournament title over the weekend in Savannah. Sells fired a four-hitter, striking out nine, in the Pirates' 3-0 win over KSU on Friday afternoon, then hurled a five-hit shutout, striking out seven, in AASU's 4-0 win over the Owls in the championship game on Saturday.

McCracken hit .889 (8-for-9) for the tournament, collecting four hits in four at-bats against Georgia College & State in the Pirates' 9-2 win on Friday, then went 3-for-3 in Saturday's championship game. This is the second week this season that Sells and McCracken have earned the PBAC Pitcher and Player awards together and it's the third time this season Sells has been named the top pitcher of the week.

The Lady Pirates, now ranked No. 1 in the nation in the latest NFCA Division II Top 25 poll, wrap up their regular season with a Saturday, April 29, doubleheader at No. 22 Columbus State at 2:00 p.m.

- Pirates -