FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-30-04

College Softball: No. 12 AASU 4-4, No. 1 Kennesaw State 1-7

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Armstrong Atlantic State senior pitcher Katya Eronina broke the Peach Belt Conference record for consecutive victories by defeating the No. 1-ranked Kennesaw State Owls, 4-1, in game one of a PBC doubleheader at the Pirate Softball Field on Tuesday afternoon. KSU rallied to win the second game, 7-4, and earn a split in the double dip.

Eronina (22-0) outdueled previously unbeaten Janet Kearns of Kennesaw State to win her 25th consecutive decision dating back to 2003, breaking the previous record of 24 set by KSU’s Kelly Rafter (March 8-May 13, 1995). She allowed just three hits and struck out 15 batters, giving up just one earned run in the victory.

The Pirates (32-3, 10-2 PBC) went on top in the first inning on an RBI double by freshman Amber Hunt, then added three runs in the third inning on an RBI single by Stacey Richardson and a two-run home run by Hunt to take a quick 4-0 lead in support of Eronina. Kennesaw State (42-3, 11-3 PBC) had the tying run at the plate in the seventh inning as they loaded the bases with nobody out, but a fielder’s choice by Janna Maughon would be the only run they’d get. Kearns (19-1) hurled four innings and gave up six hits and four runs to take the loss for the Owls.

In game two, the Owls jumped on AASU starter Katy Perkins (9-2) as an error and a walk led to a three-run home run by Keri McKee in the first inning to put KSU up, 3-0. Chelce Culberson’s solo shot in the second for AASU made it 3-1, but then KSU broke the game open with four runs on five hits in the third inning, including RBI singles by Janille Edwards and Kate Winstel. The Pirates made it interesting in the seventh as, trailing by five, Kissy Stepanova and Stacey Richardson launched back-to-back solo home runs with two out to cut the lead to three, but Amber Hunt was thrown out at second base trying to stretch a single into a double for the final out of the game. Tara Hrycuik (13-1) pitched 6 2/3 innings, giving up nine hits and four runs to pick up the win for KSU, while Perkins pitched five innings and gave up nine hits and seven runs – six earned – to take the loss.

AASU returns to action on Sunday, April 4, as the Pirates travel to Jacksonville, Fla., to take on No. 4-ranked North Florida at 3:00 p.m.

- Pirates -