Eight First-Inning Runs Pace Pirates To 18-3 Win Over St. Andrews

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong Atlantic State baseball squad plated eight runs in the first inning to pace the Pirates to an 18-3 win over visiting St. Andrews in 2010 Savannah Invitational action on Wednesday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The Pirates (12-3) notched their fourth straight win with the victory over St. Andrews (1-15-1). 

AASU sent 12 men to the plate in the eight-run first-inning against Knight starter D.J. Turpin (1-2). Josh Wilson had a two-RBI double in the frame, and Jake Sutton and Drew Walker each had RBI singles.

The Pirates then plated two runs in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Walker and another RBI single from Sutton. AASU put the game out of reach in the fifth with five runs in the inning, which included an RBI double from John Roberts and both Sutton and Michael Price being hit by pitches with the bases loaded to drive in runs.

The offensive output was more than enough for AASU starter Bryan Roby (1-0), who hurled six innings of seven-hit, one-run ball, walking one while striking out three to pick up the victory.

Turpin suffered the loss for the Knights, giving up nine hits and 10 runs - seven earned - in four innings of work, walking three and striking out three.

Wilson led the Pirates offensively with three hits and a pair of RBIs, while both Sutton and Walker drove in three runs and collected two hits on the day.

St. Andrews was led at the plate by Matthew Bolden, who scored a pair of runs on two hits, while Manny Williams and Daniel Oliver each collected two hits as well.

AASU returns to action on Sunday, March 7, with a 2:00 p.m. contest against Concord (W. Va.) in continuing 2010 Savannah Invitational action. St. Andrews is also in action in the invitational, taking on Queens (NY) at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 4.