Pirates Sweep Two From Shepherd On Friday

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong Atlantic State baseball squad used several big innings to pick up a doubleheader sweep of Shepherd on Friday at Pirate Field. The Pirates enjoyed a 10-run eighth inning in a 14-1 win in game one, while scoring five runs in the first and four in the second en route to a 13-3 win in game two.

The Pirates (5-3) started quickly in game one against Shepherd righthander Matt McCarty, getting a bases-clearing double from Michael Price to highlight a four-run first inning. McCarty settled down and did not allow another run to the Pirates in seven innings pitched.

AASU lefthander Cody Walden (2-0) limited the Rams to just four hits and one run - a solo shot by Chris Szafren in the third inning - while striking out 10 to pick up his second straight complete game victory of the season. 

The game stayed 4-1 until the eighth, when the Pirates touched reliever Brandon Armentrout for 10 runs, sending 13 men to the plate in the frame. Alex Wyche and Drew Walker delivered two-RBI singles in the inning and Josh Wilson and Juan Dorado each notched two hits in the inning.

McCarty (0-1) took the game-one loss for the Rams (0-2), giving up four runs and three hits, walking five but striking out six in seven innings pitched. 

In game two, the Pirates again started quickly, plating five in the first inning against Shepherd starter Charlie Gordon (0-1), benefitting from an error and two passed balls in the inning, while also getting a two-RBI single from Bryan Roby and an RBI single by Walker. Walker again delivered in the second inning, driving in two with a double in a four-run inning.

Shepherd scored once in the fifth on an RBI single by Szafren and twice in the sixth on an RBI double by Brian Collins and an RBI single by Brett Caplan, but AASU put it out of reach with a four-run seventh inning, highlighted by a three-base throwing error by Joey Hayes that scored two runs for the Pirates.

Thomas Gray (2-0) picked up the win for the Pirates, giving up seven hits and three runs in six innings pitched, walking one but striking out five. Gordon took the loss for Shepherd, giving up eight hits and nine runs - seven earned - in 1 1/3 innings pitched.

Josh Wilson went 5-for-8 in the doubleheader for the Pirates with five runs scored, while Drew Walker went 4-for-6 with five RBIs and Alex Wyche finished 3-for-8 with five RBIs and four runs scored. Szafren had two hits and two RBIs in the doubleheader for the Rams, while McCormick and Caplan also had two hits apiece.

The two teams will attempt to finish the three-game series with a single game on Saturday at 2:00 p.m., weather permitting. There is an 80% chance of rain all day Saturday. If the two teams can not play Saturday, a single game on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. will take place at Pirate Field.