FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-17-04

College Softball: No. 14 AASU 5-3, Mars Hill 0-1

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Freshman Amber Hunt’s first collegiate career hit – a pinch-hit three-run home run – carried AASU to a 3-1 win and a doubleheader sweep of Mars Hill in softball action at the AASU Softball Complex on Wednesday afternoon. The Pirates rode the arm of senior All-America Katya Eronina in game one for a 5-0 win.

The Pirates (21-2) and Eronina limited the Lions to just one hit in the first game in the 5-0 win. Eronina struck out 15 in the victory and the Pirates got two hits apiece from Valeria Silvestrini, Chelce Culberson and Michelle Davis in the win. AASU scored its first run on a double steal as Amanda Kort took second and Culberson stole home in the fourth inning, then Jenny Alfirov’s RBI double scored Kort for a 2-0 lead. AASU plated three more in the sixth inning for insurance as Davis’ RBI double scored Culberson, then Lindsay Phillips’ RBI single scored pinch runner Jocelyn Lavender and Silvestrini’s sacrifice fly scored Alfirov. Lyn Loomis (2-8) took the loss for the Lions, giving up 10 hits and five runs – four earned – in six innings pitched.

In the Pirates’ second game, Mars Hill (7-25) designated player Tessa Ashwell cranked a solo home run in the third inning off of AASU starter Katy Perkins for a 1-0 lead. With runners on second and third and two out in the same inning, Eronina relieved Perkins and struck out Jessica Valentine to keep the score at 1-0. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Culberson led off the inning with a single, then after a sacrifice bunt by Davis, Kort singled to put two on with one out. Hunt then pinch-hit for Alfirov and delivered a three-run home run to right center field for her first collegiate hit, RBIs and home run to put AASU up 3-1. Eronina (14-0) then made the lead stand by hurling 4 1/3 innings of shutout relief, striking out nine to pick up the win. Lindsay Hert (5-9) took the loss for the Lions, giving up 10 hits and three runs in six innings pitched.

AASU returns to action on Thursday, March 18, as the No. 14-ranked Pirates host No. 5 St. Cloud State at 1:00 p.m. at the AASU Softball Complex.

- Pirates -