AASU Wins Seventh Straight, Downs Wildcats 9-2

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Senior first baseman Kenny Cail went 4-for-5 with five RBI, including a pair of two-RBI doubles, as the Armstrong Atlantic State baseball squad won its seventh straight game with a 9-2 victory over Wayne State (Neb.) on Tuesday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The Pirates (13-8) remained unbeaten in 2009 Savannah Invitational action with the win, while handing the Wildcats (4-5) their second loss since arriving in Savannah on Monday.

Wayne State loaded the bases with nobody out in the second inning, but the Pirates and starter Jeff Chase got out of the jam with only one run scoring, thanks to a double play ball. AASU tied things up in the bottom of the second on an RBI single by Michael Price.

The Wildcats took the lead again in the top of the third as Justin Hemauer led off the frame with a solo home run to right field. The Pirates would take the lead for good in the bottom of third, plating three runs - keyed by a two-RBI double to left field by Cail.

AASU put the game out of reach with a single run in the fifth, sparked by Alex Wyche's leadoff triple, then three more runs in the sixth, including Cail's second two-RBI double of the day. 

In all, the Pirates rapped out 16 hits as Cail finished 4-for-5 and four other Pirates - Wyche, Juan Dorado, John Roberts and Price - finished with two hits apiece.

Chase (3-3) picked up the win for AASU, hurling five-plus innings, giving up five hits and two runs, walking two while striking out two. Ryan Smith hurled four innings of one-hit shutout ball, striking out three, to pick up his second save of the season.

Josh Voth (0-1) took the loss for Wayne State, giving up nine hits and five runs in four-plus innings of work, walking one and striking out one.

Hemauer was the only Wayne State player to record multiple hits on the day as he went 2-for-4 with the solo home run.

AASU returns to action on Wednesday, March 11, with a 2:00 p.m. contest against Concord in continuing 2009 Savannah Invitational action at Pirate Field.