Pirates Split With Florida Tech On Saturday

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong Atlantic State softball squad split a doubleheader with Florida Tech on Saturday, defeating the Panthers, 8-1, in game one but falling, 7-2, in game two.

The Pirates stayed even at 2-2 on the year, while Florida Tech is now 3-1 in head coach Val Silvestrini's first season at the helm of the Panthers - Silvestrini played at AASU in 2004 and was an assistant coach for Ted Evans in 2005 and 2006.

In game one, the Pirates plated three runs in the bottom of the first inning - highlighted by RBI singles from Baillie Temples and Shelby Duff - to take an early 3-0 lead. The Pirates then tacked on a single run in the fourth on an error and broke the game open with four runs in the bottom of the fifth, sparked by a Temples two-RBI triple.

That was all the offense Megan Barnwell (1-0) needed as the freshman hurled a complete-game for her first collegiate victory, giving up six hits and one run in seven innings, walking three and striking out nine. Brianna Barth (1-1) took the loss for the Panthers, giving up eight runs - none earned - and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out one.

Game two was almost the complete opposite as Florida Tech jumped all over AASU starter Emily Headrick for five first-inning runs. The Panthers' Brianna Barth had three hits and two runs and Emily Densem and Brittany Memoli added two hits apiece in the 7-2 victory.

Tiffani Bishop (2-0) hurled the complete-game victory for the Panthers, scattering 12 hits and giving up two runs while walking one and striking out four. Headrick (1-1) took the loss for the Pirates, giving up five hits and six runs - three earned - in one-plus innings, walking two and striking out one.

Temples led the Pirates at the plate on the day by going 5-for-7 with four runs scored and three RBI, including a double and a triple. Duff went 4-for-7 with two RBIs as well.

Barth finished the day 4-for-6 with two runs scored to lead the Panthers at the plate.

AASU returns to action on Tuesday, February 16, with a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader against Savannah State at the AASU Softball Field.