Pirates host 2010 Savannah Invitational

The AASU Pirate baseball program began its 2010 Savannah Invitational with a sour one-run loss to Missouri-St. Louis, but has redeemed itself with three convincing wallopings in a row.

The Pirates entered their hometown tournament on a five-game win streak, following a pitching masterpiece by Thomas Grey at Augusta State on Feb. 23.

AASU’s tournament hosts six different schools from many different regions and states. The 12-day affair began on Feb. 26 and will continue until March 9.

Thus far, the Pirates (11-3) lost to Tritons in the first of two games against them. The Feb. 26 loss was attributed to Chris Base (1-1) for his three run, 1/3 of an inning.

The doubleheader games of Feb. 27 illustrated the short-term memory of the Pirate squad, turning the one-run loss from the day before into two opposite but still victorious affairs.

Game one of the doubleheader featured a rematch between the Pirates and the visiting Tritons. Late inning heroics by Josh Wilson plated the winning run, granting the Pirates a pulse-raising 5-4 victory at Pirate Field on the AASU campus. Chris Rabe snagged the win with his relief performance while Triton pitcher Kenny Ford swallowed his first loss in 2010.

Game two of the doubleheader pitted the Pirates verses the Knights from Queens, N.Y. The game was an utter pounding. The Pirates scored at will, posting a momentary season high for runs with their 17-3 win. Blake Culberson notched the win for the AASU team, and Robert O’Neill suffered the loss for the Knights. The eight-run sixth inning broke the game wide open, providing a blowout that would be difficult to mimic.

The final game against Queens proved the great quality of the Pirate offense, as they took their blowout win from the day before to the next level. AASU shellacked the Knights again, putting up 18 runs to the Knights’ 2.

The third Pirate win in four days brought Jonathon Fulghum his first win as a Pirate. Fulghum fired five innings of one-hit baseball as he rung up seven K’s. His superior pitching was opposed by the Knights’ Gabriel Guerrero’s five-run, one inning of work. Jake Sutton led the Pirates with four hits while others contributed with an arsenal of stolen bases, RBIs and the necessary hits that posted the 2010 high of 18 runs.

March 5: Softball vs. Wingate 1 p.m.

Tennis vs. Lynn 2 p.m.

Softball vs. Wingate 3 p.m.

March 6: Softball at SCAD noon at SCAD Smash Hit Tournament

Softball at Pikeville 2 p.m. at SCAD Smash Hit Tournament

Women’s Tennis vs. California (Pa.) at Orlando, Fla.

March 7: Baseball vs. Concord 2 p.m. 2010 Savannah Invitational

March 8: Baseball vs. West Liberty State 2 p.m. 2010 Savannah Invitational

Softball vs. Ohio Valley 4 p.m. at SCAD Smash Hit Tournament

March 9: Tennis vs. Washington (Mo.) 1 p.m.

Baseball vs. California (Pa.) 2 p.m. 2010 Savannah Invitational

March 10: Softball vs. Tusculum 2 p.m.

Softball vs. Tusculum 4 p.m.

1.) Baillie Temple set a new AASU record for RBI in a single game with 10, and Ashley Jowers became the first AASU softball player to get five hits in a single game.

2.) Ashley Bain set the previous record when she got seven RBI last season against Eckerd.

3.) In the same game against Eckerd on Feb. 20, 2009, Bain hit three home runs, setting a new record for AASU and tying the PBC record.

4.) For the 2010 season, Nicole Huddleston stands alone as the only senior on the softball squad.

5.) With an ERA of 1.03 in 34 innings pitched, Megan Barnwell leads the team in the early stages of the 2010 season.

1.) What two records did AASU softball players break in their game against East Stroudsburg on Feb. 27?

2.) Who was the previous single-game record holder for AASU softball for RBI?

3.) What is the single-game record for home runs for AASU softball?

4.) Who is the only senior listed on the softball team’s roster this season?

5.) Who leads the Pirate softball team in ERA so far this season?

AASU Sports Trivia, previews and more

Check your answers at the bottom of the page.

Drew Walker hit a triple to bring in the first run of the game against Missouri-St. Louis as the Pirates went on to win, 5-4, on Feb. 28.