Saturday, May 5, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Travis Jarome, Sports Information Director

SAINTS SPLIT WITH PIRATES TO END SEASON
Andre Airich wins game one with walk-off two-run single

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – North Georgia College & State University ended the 2007 campaign with a series win over 25th-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University, winning the first game 4-3 on a game-winning two-run single by Andre Airich.

With the game tied at 2-2, Armstrong Atlantic jumped ahead of North Georgia 3-2 heading into the bottom half of the last inning of the opening game.  After Brad Bohannon fouled out to first baseman Creston Warner, Josh Dallas got his second hit of the game – a triple off the centerfield wall – with one out in the inning off of North Georgia starter Chris Curtis.  Truman Marek singled home the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning through the right side.

However, the Saints would not go away in the bottom of the ninth when Marek took the mound looking for his league-leading ninth save of the season.  Kevin Morrison started the inning for North Georgia with a single through the left side, which was followed by a bunt single by pinch-hitter Brett George to put runners at first and second with no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.  Neil Krock followed that with a sacrifice bunt to third to move the runners up 90 feet and into scoring position.  After an intentional walk to Craig Brisson to load the bases, Airich stepped to the plate and promptly drove the ball through the right side for a two-run single and gave the Saints sole possession of fourth place in the Peach Belt Conference.

Morrison led North Georgia (34-22, 17-13 PBC), going 3-for-4 with two runs scored; while Airich went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in. 

Tyler Evans, Eric Hudson and Dallas each collected two hits each in the loss for Armstrong Atlantic.

Caleb Copeland (3-4) picked up the victory, working 2/3 innings of relief for the Saints, while Marek (2-3) suffered the loss with just 1/3 innings of relief work for Armstrong Atlantic.

In the second game, the Saints scored two runs in the first inning but Armstrong Atlantic answered back with five runs over the next two innings to escape Dahlonega with a 6-2 victory in the nightcap.

Marek went 4-for-5 in the second game for the Pirates, collecting three runs batted in and a double in the victory.  Tyler Evans, Eric Hudson and Sean Hotzak each collected two hits each in the Armstrong Atlantic victory. 

For the Saints, Anders Oster and Petitti each collected two hits in the victory.

Ross Partee (5-4) got the victory by working six innings, allowing just two runs off of seven hits.  He walked three and struck out one.  Garrett Lussi (5-3) suffered the loss, working just 1 1/3 innings in relief.  He allowed three runs off of three hits.

Armstrong Atlantic (35-20, 15-15 PBC) ends the regular season tied with USC Aiken and USC Upstate for the fourth, fifth and sixth seed in the upcoming Peach Belt Conference Baseball Tournament to be held in Spartanburg next week.

-NGCSU-

Related Item: Box Score (Game One)
Related Item: Box Score (Game Two)

Return to Baseball