FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-5-05

College Softball: USC Aiken 5-2, AASU 3-11

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Armstrong Atlantic State crushed three home runs in a seven-run fifth inning to power past USC Aiken, 11-2, and earn a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader softball split with the Pacers at the Pirate Softball Field on Saturday afternoon. USC Aiken won the first game, 5-3.

USC Aiken (11-7, 3-5 PBC) was well on its way to a sweep when the Pacers put across two runs in the top of the fourth inning against the Pirates (9-7, 3-5 PBC) thanks to a throwing error by AASU catcher Amber Hunt and an RBI single by Sarah Harvey. But the Pirates battled back in the bottom of the fourth with four runs, highlighted by Amanda Kort’s two-RBI single to right. Then the bottom of the fifth saw the Pirates break out the longball as Deanna Beaty hit a two-run home run to right, and Hunt followed it up with a solo shot to center field, making the score 8-2. With two runners on, freshman Carmela Orsini launched a three-run shot to right center, her first collegiate home run, to end the ballgame and earn the Pirates the split. Heather Woods (4-2) picked up the victory, giving up just two hits and two runs while striking out five in five innings pitched.

In the first game, the Pacers plated three runs in the top of the second off of AASU starter Adrian Tuttle (2-1), highlighted by Brooke McSwain’s two-RBI double down the third base line. AASU would tie it, however, via three unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth, but Ragen Reeves’ RBI single in the top of the seventh put USC Aiken up for good as they would go on to the 5-3 win. Stacie Oakley (4-2) hurled seven innings, giving up just four hits and striking out seven to pick up the win for the Pacers. Tuttle gave up nine hits and five runs – four earned – to take the loss.

Freshman Whitney Propes had three hits and three RBI in the doubleheader to lead the Pirates offensively, while Reeves, Harvey and Ashley Dyches each picked up two hits apiece for the Pacers.

AASU returns to action on Monday, March 7, as the Pirates face Quincy and Bluefield State at the SCAD Spring Break Smash Hit Tournament in Savannah, beginning at 3:00 p.m.

- Pirates -