Huddleston's RBI Single Gives Pirates Sweep Of Findlay

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Senior Nicole Huddleston's RBI single in the bottom of the seventh paced Armstrong Atlantic State to a 4-3 victory and a doubleheader sweep of visiting Findlay on Wednesday afternoon at the AASU Softball Field. The Pirates won game one, 9-1, in six innings over the Oilers.

Armstrong Atlantic (10-4) led by one run, 2-1, heading into the top of the seventh inning against Findlay (2-4) in game two thanks to Erin Billingsley's solo home run in the bottom of the third, but the Oilers rallied for a pair of runs in the inning to push the game to the bottom of the seventh. 

Findlay's Katie Ammons drew a leadoff walk in the inning off of AASU freshman Megan Barnwell (4-1), then moved to second on a sacrifice by Cali Coppus. Barnwell retired Kara Hochevar on a foulout to first, but with two outs, Alaina Haubert singled up the middle to score Ammons and tie the score at 2-2. Taylor Bell then reached on an error by Pirate shortstop Shelby Duff, allowing Haubert to score the go-ahead run.

In the bottom of the seventh, Ashley Buckett was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. A sacrifice by Heather Walker moved pinch runner Amber Fletcher to second, and April Jowers moved her to third with a single to center field. Findlay pitcher Alyssa Shultz (1-1) then hit Erin Billingsley with a pitch to load the bases. Baillie Temples singled in Fletcher with the tying run on a single to left, and then Huddleston followed with a single down the left field line, scoring Jowers with the winning run.

The reigning PBC Freshman of the Week, Barnwell gave up just two hits in seven innings, giving up three runs - two earned - and walking two while striking out eight to pick up the victory for the Pirates. Shultz gave up nine hits and four runs in 6 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out two to take the loss for the Oilers.

Game one was all Pirates as AASU pounded out 15 hits and nine runs in taking the 9-1 victory. Shelby Duff (5-1) hurled four innings of three-hit, one-run ball, walking one and striking out three to take the win for AASU. Lauren Orban (1-2) gave up 11 hits and seven runs - six earned - in five innings to take the loss for the Oilers.

Temples led the Pirates at the plate in the doubleheader, going 4-for-4 with four runs scored in game one, then going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs in game two. Megan Qualls went 4-for-6 in the doubleheader with a pair of RBIs as well for AASU.

Findlay's Ammons had a pair of hits in game one to pace the Oilers offensively, while Hannah Crane had a solo home run in game two.

AASU returns to action on Friday, March 5, hosting No. 10-ranked Wingate at 1 p.m. at the AASU Softball Field.