FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-14-06

College Softball: AASU 8 (5 inn.)-1, Mars Hill 0-0

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Armstrong Atlantic State softball squad spun its first double shutout in two years with an 8-0, 1-0 sweep of visiting Mars Hill on Tuesday afternoon at the AASU Softball Field.

The Pirates (19-8) pounded out 11 hits in the first game, picking up an 8-0 win in five innings over the Lions (11-16) as Jessica Miranda clubbed a two-run home run, her first of the season, and Mandi Meador went 3-for-3 with two RBI. Freshman Pam Bykowski (3-0) came in relief of Rachel Koening-Eng, who had to leave the game with an injury, and hurled 2 2/3 hitless innings of relief to pick up the win for the Pirates. Katie Bryden (6-7) took the loss for the Lions, giving up five hits and four runs – three earned – in 1 2/3 innings pitched.

In the second game, Mars Hill’s Katie Blankenship and AASU freshman Courtney Tucker hooked up in a fine pitchers’ duel, trading shutout innings until the bottom of the fourth, when Amanda Baxter’s RBI single down the left field line scored Mandi Meador with the game’s only run. Tucker (5-1) scattered eight hits and struck out five for her first collegiate shutout, while Blankenship (5-7) took the hard-luck loss, giving up nine hits and one run in six innings pitched.

The last time the AASU softball team hurled a double shutout came on April 12, when the Pirates blanked Columbus State, 9-0 and 8-0, in their season finale.

Miranda finished the doubleheader with four hits to lead the Pirates at the plate, while Mars Hill had three players with two hits – Carissa Rice, Felicia Holder and Jessica Valentine.

AASU is next in action on Wednesday as the Pirates host Kutztown for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader.

- Pirates -