Pirates Open 2009 Savannah Invitational With 7-2 Win Over Findlay

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong Atlantic State baseball squad opened up action in the 2009 Savannah Invitational with a 7-2 victory over Findlay on Tuesday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The Pirates (8-8) climbed back to .500 on the season with its second win in as many days, while Findlay (0-4) remained winless on the young 2009 season with the loss.

The Oilers struck first in the game, however, in the third inning as Matt Feltner led off with a double, then scored on a two-out RBI single by Brian Sampsel. The Pirates tied things up in the bottom of the fourth inning on a Josh Wilson RBI single, scoring John Roberts. 

AASU took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning as Drew Walker tripled down the right field line, scoring Kenny Cail with the go-ahead run. Drew Carnes then lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Walker and giving AASU a 3-1 lead.

Findlay struck back in the top of the sixth inning with David Cort's RBI double, scoring Ross Guisinger, to make the score 3-2. But the Pirates put the game out of reach with three home runs over the next two innings as Alex Wyche hit a solo shot in the seventh, then Carnes and Wilson each homered in the eighth.

Wilson's two-run shot chased Findlay starter Bryce Whittington (0-1), who went 7 2/3 innings, giving up 14 hits and seven runs, walking two while striking out three to take the loss for the Oilers. Bryan Roby (1-0) picked up the win for the Pirates in relief, hurling 2 2/3 innings of one-hit, one-run ball, striking out two for his first win of the season.

Closer Brandon McCreery picked up his second save of the year for the Pirates, hurling two perfect innings, striking out three.

Wilson finished the day with three hits and three RBIs, including a double and his two-run home run, to lead the Pirates offensively. Roberts also picked up a three-hit day, including a double, as did Wyche. 

AASU and Findlay will meet again on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. in continuing Savannah Invitational action at Pirate Field.