FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5-12-06

NCAA South Atlantic Regional: Armstrong Atlantic 3, Carson-Newman 2

Release Courtesy of Columbus State Sports Information

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Armstrong Atlantic State plated two runs in the bottom of the seventh, with the game winner coming home on a squeeze play by senior Danielle Bertram, to take a 3-2 win over Carson-Newman at the South Atlantic Regional. Carson-Newman is eliminated from the tournament with the loss and ends its season at 40-15. AASU (38-26) advances to play the loser of Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Columbus State at 1:30 on Saturday.

"We will have to do whatever it takes to continue to win in this tournament," said AASU head coach Ted Evans. "Whether it be long ball or small ball, we will do whatever it takes."

The game-winner was not without controversy, however, as Carson-Newman catcher Kim Thorne was called for obstruction on the play. Pinch-runner Angela Long appeared to be out on the play, but Thorne had blocked the runner's progress without the ball and that allowed the run to score. The tying run had scored two batters earlier on a single by Colleen Markyna to score pinch-runner Kacey Morrison.

Carson-Newman had taken its first lead of the game in the top of the seventh when Mandy Stevens delivered a two-out, two-run single through the left side to score Hillary Howard and Jessica Blevins. That gave the Lady Eagles a 2-1 lead in support of pitcher Megan Elliott. Elliott did not allow a hit until the fifth inning and suffered the tough-luck loss after allowing just three hits with seven strikeouts in the game.

AASU got on the board in the second inning without the benefit of a hit. Jeana Short walked and stole second and then was bunted to third by Ashley Bain. Jessica Miranda brought her home with a sacrifice fly to left, making it 1-0.

Pirate pitcher Rachel Koening-Eng scattered seven hits in the game and fanned five to earn the win. She did not walk a hitter in the game.

Seven different players had hits for the Lady Eagles, while AASU got safeties from three different players in the pitchers' duel.

- Pirates -