FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-31-07

College Softball: No. 16 USC Upstate 2-9, AASU 1-3

Release Courtesy of USC Upstate Sports Information

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Amber Patterson delivered the game-winning hit in the first game of the doubleheader, and the Spartans’ bats exploded for nine runs in the second game as 16th-ranked USC Upstate claimed a 2-1 win in game one and a 9-3 victory in game two for the sweep of Peach Belt Conference foe Armstrong Atlantic State Saturday at Cyrill Stadium.

Upstate improves to 34-8 overall and 13-3 in the conference. Armstrong Atlantic State falls to 22-11 overall and 8-6 in the league.

In the first game, Armstrong could have put runs up early, loading the bases with one out in the first inning. However, Upstate starter Emily Jeffery induced a fly out to left and a ground out to third to end the threat. Armstrong jumped out on top in the third inning when Jessica Strong singled to drive in Sara Morris to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

Upstate responded immediately when Ana Mitchell hit a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 1-1.

Armstrong starter Jessica Waters got into trouble in the fourth, loading the bases with no outs. However, she got a double play and a ground out without a run scoring to get out of the jam.

The pitcher’s duel continued for the rest of the game and Upstate broke through with a run in the bottom of the sixth when Patterson doubled to drive in Shay Slater for the eventual winning run.

Slater finished with two hits and the game-winning run to lead Upstate at the plate. Vanessa Becerra had a pair of hits for the Pirates. Jeffery went the distance, striking out five to improve to 13-2 on the year. Waters (10-5) took the loss for Armstrong.

In the second game, Katie Adams opened the scoring with a triple that drove in two runs in the third inning to give Upstate a 2-0 lead. The Spartans added to the lead in the fourth inning when Vanesa Flores led off the inning with her league-leading 16th home run of the season as Upstate took a 3-0 lead.

Upstate added three runs to its advantage in the fourth inning when Adams and Mitchell picked up RBI singles and Patterson drove in a run on a ground out.

Armstrong got back into the game with three runs in the top of the sixth. Natalie Vogler hit a two-run home run and strong scored from third on a throwing error by the catcher to get the Pirates within 6-3.

However, Upstate put the game away with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 9-3 lead. Flores collected an RBI single and Gibbs and Slater later scored on a throwing error by the third baseman.

Adams finished the game 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run to lead Upstate at the plate. Flores collected a pair of hits and two RBIs, while Tiffany Pitcher added a pair of hits. Morris and Ashley Bain collected two hits to lead Armstrong at the plate.

Upstate starter Brittany Rice tossed five innings and improved to 13-4 on the year. Jessica Jolly pitched the final two innings of the game in a non-save opportunity. She did not allow a hit in her two innings. Armstrong starter Courtney Tucker went 4 1/3 innings and fell to 6-2 on the year.

- Pirates -