FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-18-04

College Softball: No. 14 AASU 2-3, No. 5 St. Cloud State 0-2

SAVANNAH, Ga. – AASU junior Stacy Oliver’s RBI double in the bottom of the seventh inning plated Lindsay Phillips with the winning run and capped a come-from-behind 3-2 win over No. 5 St. Cloud State, giving the No. 14-ranked Pirates a doubleheader sweep on Thursday afternoon at the AASU Softball Complex. AASU won the first game over the Huskies, 2-0.

The Pirates (23-2) trailed 2-1 in the second game as St. Cloud State (13-3) scored twice in the first inning on a two-run home run by Angie Berg. AASU freshman Adrian Tuttle settled down, however, to hold the Huskies in check over the next five innings. The Pirates plated a single run in the first on a Stacey Richardson RBI double, then began the comeback in the sixth inning as Michelle Davis’ RBI groundout scored pinch runner Kristina Nelson with the tying run. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Phillips led off with a single to center, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Valeria Silvestrini, then scored on Oliver’s double to center field. Katya Eronina (16-0) came in relief in the ninth inning and struck out the side to pick up the victory. Lacey Trossbach took the loss, giving up three runs and eight hits in six 1/3 innings pitched.

In the first game, Eronina dominated the Huskies, striking out 12 in seven innings and giving up just four hits in the shutout win. Stacey Richardson gave Eronina all the offense she would need as she cranked her seventh home run of the season leading off the fourth inning, then Jenny Alfirov followed with a solo shot of her own in the fifth inning, her first of the season. Trossbach picked up the loss in the first game as well, giving up six hits and two runs while striking out four in six innings.

The wins extended the Pirates’ current win streak to 13, while St. Cloud State had its win streak snapped at seven.

AASU returns to action on Friday, March 19, as the Pirates participate in the 2004 KSU Owl Classic. AASU faces Delta State and Catawba on Friday evening.

- Pirates -