FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4-18-01

College Softball: AASU 2-2, USC Spartanburg 0-1

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Senior Nicole Weirauch's two-out double in the bottom of the sixth inning plated senior Tesh Wiewel with the winning run, giving AASU a 2-1 win and a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader sweep over USC Spartanburg on Senior Day at Pirate Field. AASU won the first game, 2-0, behind junior Annie Sells' eighth career no-hitter.

The Pirates (30-10, 11-7 PBC) got all the offense they'd need in game one in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Sara Noe drew a walk and two batters later, senior Crystal McCracken hit a home run to center field off of USC Spartanburg (31-10, 11-9 PBC) starter Kristy Middagh. Sells (15-5) did the rest of the work, carrying a perfect game into the fifth inning and completing her second no-hitter of the season. Sells' only blemish came in the sixth when she hit pinch hitter Karly Justice with a 1-2 pitch on the left leg. Middagh (15-5) gave up seven hits and two runs in six innings to take the loss for USCS.

In the second game, the Pirates again took an early lead, scoring in the bottom of the first on McCracken's two-out double which drove in Tesh Wiewel, giving AASU a 1-0 lead. The Rifles would tie the game in the top of the third inning on Brandi Couch's two-out RBI single that scored Kacey Ayers. The game would remain scoreless until the sixth inning when Weirauch's RBI double drove home Wiewel with the go-ahead run and senior Julie King (15-5) retired the side in order in the top of the seventh for the win. King allowed four hits and just one run in seven innings for the victory, while Tamara Oldaker (11-5) gave up just five hits and two runs in six innings to take the loss.

The Pirates are next in action at the Peach Belt Conference tournament in Kennesaw, Ga., on Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22. AASU, the No. 5 seed, will face No. 4-seeded Augusta State at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday in its first action. USC Spartanburg, the No. 3 seed, will play the winner of Francis Marion and UNC Pembroke at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday as well.

- Pirates -