FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4-6-02

College Softball: No. 2 AASU 6-5, Francis Marion 0-2

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The No. 2-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State softball squad returned to its winning ways behind senior Annie Sells to record a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader sweep of Francis Marion, 6-0 and 5-2, on Saturday afternoon at Pirate Field

Sells recorded her 12^th career no-hitter - fourth of this season - as she blanked the Patriots, 6-0, in the first game. The former NFCA National DII Player of the Week allowed just one walk while striking out 10 to improve to 14-2 on the season. The shutout was also the 43^rd of her career, giving her the all-time Peach Belt Conference record in career shutouts, the ninth career conference pitching record for Sells. The Pirates collected eight hits in the first game, including two by senior Sara Noe, to pick up the victory. Patriots starter Janet Rice (5-3) took the loss for FMU, giving up five hits and four runs - one earned - in 2 2/3 innings of work.

In the nightcap, Francis Marion threatened to spoil the afternoon when Laurie Niego cranked a two-run home run in the top of the first inning to give the Patriots (27-13, 6-9 PBC) a 2-0 lead. Francis Marion and starting pitcher Heather Johnson would hold the Pirates scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning, when sophomore Stacey Richardson hit an opposite-field solo home run to cut the lead to 2-1. In the fifth inning, Sells again came to the rescue with a two-run home run to put the Pirates up for good, then pitched two shutout innings to close out the victory and pick up her second save of the season. Junior Delaney Warrian (6-0) picked up the win in relief for the Pirates, hurling three shutout innings, while Johnson gave up eight hits and five runs - three earned - to take the loss.

AASU returns to action on Monday, April 8, as the Pirates host Augusta State in a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader at 2:00 p.m.

- Pirates -