SAVANNAH, Ga. - Albany State plated four runs in the top of the 13th inning to take a 13-10 win over host Armstrong State University in collegiate baseball action on Tuesday at Pirate Field.

The Golden Rams improved to 6-18 on the year with the win, while Armstrong State falls to 14-15 overall, dropping its 12th game out of its last 13. The Pirates return to action on Saturday, visiting Francis Marion for a 5:00 p.m. Peach Belt Conference contest.

The Pirates built a 9-5 lead in the sixth inning, thank in large part to junior Chandler Corley, who had five hits in his first five at-bats, including pair of home runs and four RBI. 

Albany State scored a run in the seventh inning and two in the eighth to close the gap to one run. In the top of the ninth, Nic Griggs singled in Jameson Eichelberger with two outs to tie the game at 9-all and send it into extra innings.

In the top of the 13th, the Golden Rams broke through with four runs, two on RBI doubles from Quantico Dodson-Williams and Kelvin Wimbush, and two on an error to take a 13-9 lead. Zack Goble (PCHS 2015) homered to lead off the bottom of the 13th for the Pirates, and Armstrong State had the tying run at the plate with nobody out, but Chasen Roulhac entered the game from his shortstop position and pitched a scoreless inning to earn the save.

Gary Cannon (1-0) pitched 2/3rds of an inning and got the win, giving up one hit and one run. Caleb Woods (0-3) took the loss in relief, giving up six hits and five runs - three earned - in five innings of work, striking out five.

Corley finished the contest 5-for-8 with four RBI for the Pirates, while Caleb Slaughter had two hits and three RBI, including a two-run home run. Griggs and Robbie Feagans had three hits apiece for the Golden Rams.

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Chance DuCharme hurled seven shutout innings to lead the Francis Marion University baseball squad to a 7-1 Peach Belt Conference victory over visiting Armstrong State University on Saturday afternoon at Sparow Stadium.

With the win, the Patriots improve to 23-11 overall and 6-7 in the PBC, while Armstrong State falls to 14-16 overall and 0-10 in the Peach Belt. The two teams wrap up their three-game PBC series with a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader on Sunday.

DuCharme limited the Pirates to six hits - all singles - and two walks in six innings, striking out five to pick up the win for Francis Marion, moving to 3-2 on the season.

The Patriots got all the offense they'd need in the game with two-run first and second innings. An RBI single by Logan Koch and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Brooks Kennedy plated two in the first, then Reese Cooley's two-run home run in the second made the score 4-0 FMU.

FMU capped its scoring in the game with a three-run seventh inning. Armstrong State's lone run came in the ninth inning as Zach Goble's (PCHS 2015) RBI single drove in Caleb Slaughter.

Sam Goberdhan (3-3) took the loss for the Pirates, giving up eight hits and seven runs - four earned - in 5 1/3 innings of work, walking two while striking out two.

Goble had two hits and an RBI for the Pirates, while Mike Warren also had two hits. Koch and William Robbins had two hits apiece for the Patriots.

FLORENCE, S.C. - A pair of late-inning rallies led Francis Marion University to a Peach Belt Conference baseball doubleheader sweep of visiting Armstrong State University on Sunday afternoon at Sparrow Stadium. The Patriots won the first game, 7-5, and took the second game, 12-3.

The wins completed a series sweep for the Patriots (25-11, 8-7 PBC), while keeping Armstrong State (14-18, 0-12 PBC) win less in league play this season Armstrong State returns to action on Tuesday, hosting Brewton-Parker College in a 2:00 p.m. non-conference contest at Pirate Field.

In game one, the Pirates took a 3-0 lead on a fielder's choice in the first inning and back-to-back RBI doubles from Will Hodges and Cal Young in the second inning. Francis Marion cut the lead to one in the third inning on a two-run single by Logan Koch, but the Pirates regained a three-run advantage on Caleb Slaughter's two-run single in the top of the seventh inning.

Francis Marion would claim the game-one win with a five-run bottom of the seventh inning, highlighted by a bases-clearing three-run triple by Brooks Kennedy.

Christian Umphlett (5-1) picked up the win in relief for Francis Marion, giving up four hits and two runs - one earned - in 3 2/3 innings of work, walking one while striking out one. Tanner Hall (3-2) took the loss for the Pirates, giving up nine hits and seven runs - five earned - in 6 1/3 innings of work, walking five and striking out four.

Chandler Corley and Slaughter each had three hits in game one to lead the Pirates offensively, while Kennedy and Koch each had two hits and three RBI for the Patriots.

In game two, Zach Goble's (PCHS 2015) RBI double in the second inning tied the score at 1-all, then Will Hodges' RBI single in the fourth put the Pirates in front, 2-1. Goble delivered an RBI single in the top of the eighth inning that made the score 3-1, but Francis Marion sent 16 men to the plate in an 11-run frame that closed out the 12-3 win.

Arien Seymour (2-0) notched the win for the Patriots, retiring one batter to end the eighth inning. Matt Meeks (2-3) took the loss for the Pirates, giving up 11 hits and seven runs - three earned - in 7 2/3 innings of work, walking six and striking out five.

Goble and Ryan Patterson had two hits apiece for the Pirates in game two, while Cole Griesinger went 2-for-2 with three RBI for the Patriots.

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Armstrong State University sophomore Zack Goble's (PCHS 2015) three-run home run capped an eight-run eighth inning to give the Pirates a come-from-behind 11-8 non-conference baseball victory over visiting Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Tuesday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The Pirates (22-23) move back to within a game of .500 heading into this weekend's season finale series. Embry-Riddle falls to 13-32 on the season with the loss. Armstrong State begins its last weekend of play on Friday, hosting No. 21 UNC Pembroke at 3:00 p.m. at Pirate Field.

Armstrong State led early, 2-1, thanks to freshman Mark Felton's first career home run in the bottom of the second inning. Embry-Riddle took a 3-2 lead in the top of the third inning on Jonathan Camp's RBI single and an error by the Pirates.

The Eagles then broke out for five runs in the top of the fourth inning, highlighted by a pair of Pirate errors and an RBI triple by Robbie Hanlon.

Chandler Corley's RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning made the score 8-3, where it stayed until the bottom of the eighth inning, when the Pirates got RBI singles from Mike Warren and Corley then a bases-clearing double from Ryan Patterson that tied the game up at 8-all.

After a pitching change, Caleb Slaughter walked, then Goble blasted a three-run shot to left field to break the tie and give the Pirates an 11-8 lead.

Embry-Riddle got the first two batters on in the top of the ninth, but reliever Nick Andress entered the game and got a 4-6-3 double play ball, then a groundout to short to end the game and earn his second save of the season.

Sid Royal (1-0) notched the win in relief for the Pirates, hurling 4 1/3 innings of three-hit shutout ball, walking one while striking out four. Kyle Lugar (1-1) took the loss in relief for the Eagles, giving up three hits and three runs without getting an out in the eighth inning.

Corley and Warren each had three hits on the day, with Warren extending his current hitting streak to 26 games. Camp went 3-for-5 with two RBI to lead Embry-Riddle at the plate. 

Summer collegiate baseball will return to Central Florida for the 14th consecutive summer when the 2017 Florida League season begins on Thursday in Sandford. 

The Florida League, a 501c3 non-profit organization, is partially funded by Major League Baseball. College athletes from all over the country play in the league each summer, hoping that they will be scouted and drafted by pro teams. The games also provide an exciting, family-friendly entertainment atmosphere for fans in six central communities.

“The growth of the league over the past thirteen years has been amazing,” said Florida League President Rob Sitz. “The talent of the players on each roster increases every year. The support of our local communities has never been stronger. From the fans in the stands to the local businesses that sponsor our teams, we couldn’t be happier with the success of the league thus far.”

A total of 368 Florida League players have been selected in the MLB draft in the past thirteen years, including 33 players last summer. Eighteen of those drafted players have reached the Major Leagues, including All-Stars Jonathan Lucroy (Rangers), Jacob deGrom (Mets), and Dee Gordon (Marlins).

Each of the six teams in the league plays a 45-game schedule, followed by a week of playoffs in early August. The Championship Game is held at Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, every year.

The Altamonte Springs Boom won the Florida League championship in 2016; however, the defending champions will compete under a different name in 2017. Former Rollins College head coach Bob Rikeman, who purchased the nationally recognized Scorpions youth travel program in January 2017, has dubbed the team the Scorpions. Rikeman spent eleven years at Rollins (1994-2005), and took the Tars to the College World Series in 2004. He will bring a talented roster to the field that features dozens of local Central Florida players. The pitching staff will be anchored by Eric Keating (FAU/Orangewood Christian), Jimmy Robbins (Troy/Boone) and Sam Fichthorn (Dartmouth/Winter Springs). On offense, Paxton Rigby (Georgia Tech/Lake Brantley), Rigsby Mosley (Troy/Bishop Moore) and Jacob Corso (NW Florida State/Lake Mary) will lead the way. Scorpions home games are played at Lake Brantley High School.

In DeLand, the Suns will once again return to Conrad Park, home of the Stetson Hatters. Coach Rick Hall enters his eighth year as skipper for the Suns. The Suns’ staff is led by Dillon McCollough of Eckerd College, who finished the spring 6th in the Sunshine State Conference with 87 strikeouts. Jay Hayes (FGCU) returns for his second summer with DeLand after finishing as the MVP runner-up in the league last summer. He will be helped by Zack Goble (Armstrong State, PCHS 2015) who had 9 HR and 51 RBI this season, and Matthew Mulkey, who started 43 games for the Winthrop Eagles.

For the 11th consecutive season, the Leesburg Lightning will play at Pat Thomas Stadium. Lake-Sumter State College head coach Rich Billings will lead the team for the third time. The Lightning offense will put up strong numbers this summer behind Austin Mauer (Florida Southern), Tristen Gagan (Southeast Missouri) and SWAC Freshman of the Year Cage Cox (Alabama State). Former Lake Brantley standout and current FAU Owl Mike Ruff will anchor the pitching staff in Leesburg.    

Sanford will host the River Rats at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium for the 14th straight year. They are one of two original teams (Winter Park) still playing in the league. Head Coach Kevin Davidson, who has won more games than any other coach in league history, is returning many players from last year’s regular season champion team. Omar Villaman (Florida Southern) set a record for batting average last summer (.430), and hit .384 this spring for the Mocs. Sergio Lopez, last summer’s team leader in home runs and RBI, also return after a great year at Hillsborough CC. Newcomer catcher Elih Marrero (St. Thomas) is a former draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds, and the son of former MLB catcher Eli Marrero. 

The Winter Garden Squeeze enter their fourth year of play in the league. Head Coach Jay Welsh increased the team’s win total from 8 to 19 last season, and will look to improve again in his second year at the helm. A majority of the Squeeze players are from Southwest Orlando, and have been playing together for years. Returning for Winter Garden are 1st Team All-SSC selection Cody Burgess (Florida Southern) and Tyler Halstead of Winthrop, who hit .372 for the Squeeze last summer. On the mound, reigning Cy Young award winner Jarred Neal (Lake Sumter) will once again don the blue and orange.

Winter Park rounds out the competition. Playing in the 14th season, the Dawgs will be coached by Chuck Schall, who won the League championship as head coach of the Boom last summer.  The Winter Park roster is highlighted by three players from West Virginia, one from Oklahoma State and two from Penn State. Matt Mackey, who is traveling from Maple Woods CC in Illinois, hit .327 with 13 HR and 63 RBI this year. He will be helped out by Daniel Rodriguez of Reinhardt (GA) University, who posted a .367 average of his own to go with 44 RBI and 22 steals.

Opening day will feature a rematch of last year’s Championship game as Altamonte takes on Sanford at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium. There will be a pre-game tailgate party sponsored by Yuengling, West End Trading Co. and Axis Magazine featuring live music, games for kids, and 2-for-1 Yuengling draft beers. Gates open at 4 pm, with first pitch scheduled for 7 pm.

For team schedules and more information about the Florida League, visit FloridaLeague.com.

The DeLand Suns fell to the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs Wednesday 6-5, despite the Diamond Dawgs committing four errors.

The Suns (3-4) scored in the top of the first inning after an RBI groundout from Zack Goble (Armstrong State) scored Matt Mulkey (Winthrop) to give DeLand a 1-0 advantage.

The Diamond Dawgs (3-4) fired back with three runs in the bottom of the inning, digging the Suns in a hole they would never recover from.

DeLand added another run in the second inning via a Mulkey single to score Trent Taylor (Belmont Abbey) to narrow the gap to 3-2.

After Winter Park scored again in the bottom of the third, Trent Taylor turned a bunt single into a run after two errors to bring DeLand within 4-3.

The Diamond Dawgs struck quickly, however, as Winter Park scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to extend their lead to 6-3.

DeLand would add one more run in the top of the seventh from a Zack Goble groundout with the bases loaded.

The Suns scored once more in the top of the ninth after a double steal scored Jay Hayes (Florida Gulf Coast) to bring the Suns within one run, but the Suns would strand the tying run at second, dropping their third game in as many tries.

The Suns received a solid relief appearance from DAndre’ Knight in the contest. Knight pitched two innings, allowing none of the six batters he faced to reach base while striking out three.

DeLand returns home after playing two consecutive road games Thursday, hosting the Altamonte Springs Scorpions for their first matchup of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 7 PM. 

SANFORD, FL – The DeLand Suns lost on a walk-off wild pitch to the Sanford River Rats Friday night 3-2, in a game that went 12 innings.

Both the River Rats and Suns scored one run in the second inning, with Michael Harkcom (Florida International) scoring after a groundout from Torey Jordan Jr. (Texas A&M Texarkana).

Matthew Reitz (Covenant College) pitched a great start for the Suns, exiting with a no-decision after six and two-third innings of two earned run baseball.

The Suns added a second run in the sixth inning after Jordan Jr. singled to the shortstop, giving the Suns a 2-1 lead.

The River Rats struck back quickly, tying the game in the seventh inning after a Dathan Prewett (Undecided) groundout brought in a run.

Solid pitching and defense for the Suns saw this game enter extra innings, the first time all season the Suns were involved in an extra innings affair.

Thad Harris (Winthrop) came in for relief in the tenth inning, allowing one earned run in the bottom of the twelfth, giving the River Rats their eleventh straight win at home.

Zach Goble (Augusta State) was one of the bright spots of the Suns on offense, as he reached base three times in four at-bats, raising his batting average in the process.

The Suns are back in action Saturday against Sanford, with first pitch coming at 5 PM from Conrad Park.

SANFORD, FL – The DeLand Suns lost another heartbreaker Wednesday, coughing up a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth to the Sanford River Rats, falling 6-5.

The Suns were staked to a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning after a three-run Zack Goble (Augusta State) homerun.

The Suns would give up one run in the sixth inning, tying the game at 3. DeLand mounted a rally in the ninth inning, as Alan Alonso (Lake Sumter) and Matt Mulkey (Winthrop) both drove in runs to give the Suns a 5-3 lead.

Sanford would emerge victorious, however, as they plated three runs in the bottom of the ninth after a two-run RBI single from Rodney Tennie (Georgia Gwinnett) scored the tying and go-ahead runs with two outs.

The Suns are currently on a nine-game losing streak, their second losing streak of nine games this season.

Cooper Cain (Valdosta State) allowed one earned run in six innings, earning a no-decision in the affair. Mulkey, in his first game played since June 29th, logged two hits and an RBI in his return to the lineup.

The Suns are back in action Thursday, where they will take on the Altamonte Springs Scorpions. First pitch is scheduled for 7 PM.

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University baseball team wrapped its season-opening series against the West Georgia Wolves with a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday. Augusta dropped a tightly contested first game 10-7, before falling 14-3 in game two that was tied at 2-2 going into the second to last inning.

Augusta (0-3) plays at Erskine College in Due West, S.C., on Wednesday, Feb. 7 for a 2:00 p.m. non-conference single game. The Jaguars begin Peach Belt Conference competition Feb. 9-11 at Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C.

GAME 1
The first three Augusta batters in order all had two hits, with junior Devin Bilardello, freshman Mason Robertson, and junior Bakari Gayle producing at the plate in game one. Junior Harrison Moore also knocked a couple of hits in the loss. Bilardello went 6-for-9 on the weekend with two walks.

Senior-transfer Matthew Meeks, joining the Jaguars from Armstrong State University, made his first start in an Augusta uniform and pitched four innings. Meeks struck out a pair and allowed seven hits for four runs. Senior Casey Lenoch pitched three scoreless innings with four strikeouts, while freshman Jay Pendley and juniors Chase Slone (0-1) and Aron Chick each pitched in relief.

The Wolves put up four runs in the opening inning to take another early advantage, but the Jaguars cut the lead with a run in the fourth before a big fifth inning.

Gayle doubled to start AU's fourth inning and junior Zack Goble (PCHS 2015) brought him home on a sacrifice fly. In the fifth, the Jags started their at bat with a Carrington Evans triple, before Robertson and Gayle knocked two-straight singles to make it 4-3. Moore lined a two-run single to left field to give AU a 5-4 game-changing lead.

Picking up two more runs in the sixth, Augusta led 7-4 until the bottom of the ninth inning when UWG scored six to steal the lead and pull out a 10-7 win.

GAME 2
The offense came early in the third game of the series, as Augusta carded two runs in the first inning. The Wolves answered immediately with two runs in the second as the teams took a tied game into the seventh inning.

The Wolves scored 11 in the seventh and won a final 14-3 game. AU had four hits, to UWG's 12 in the contest.

Junior lefthander Sam Goberdhan, also a junior transfer from Armstrong, started for Augusta on the mound and struck out six batters in six innings of work. He gave up three hits for three runs, but only one was earned. Senior Ben Parr, joining the Jags from Georgia Tech, made his AU debut, while senior David Hagelston closed it out on the mound.
(source: http://augustajags.com/sports/bsb/2017-18/releases/20180203uvgkqk)

As always, Go Bears!

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University baseball team beat the Benedict Tigers 9-1 in a non-conference single game at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

Augusta (1-6) scored early and never let the lead go to roll past Benedict (0-1) for their first win of the season. Junior Zack Goble (PCHS 2015) was 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI and freshman Mason Robertson recorded two hits, two RBI, two walks, and a run. Senior Ty Hobbs hit his third home run in four games to card three RBI.

"I thought there was a business-like approach today," head coach Chris Howell said. "I thought we worked hard all week. We've battled some adversity earlier in the year and the guys came out today with a little more focus to complete nine innings. We attacked the zone pitching and we saw some adjustments throughout the game offensively and we pieced it together.

Benedict played 22 of its 23 players on the roster, but couldn't slow down Augusta who outhit the Tigers 7-5.

AU used six pitchers in the game, to give some midweek work to the bullpen. The Jags went to rookie Jay Pendley(1-1) on the mound for his first collegiate start and he sat down six of his 11 batters faced on strikeouts and only gave up two hits in his 3.0 innings pitched.

Junior Chase Slone pitched two innings and struck out a pair, before senior Tony Jones, junior Aron Chick, and senior Cody Pugh pitched. Goble closed out the last inning on the mound for Augusta.

The Augusta offense put up five in the first inning on three hits and Hobbs blasted a two-run homer to score Goble after he doubled off the right-field wall.

As always, Go Bears!

PEMBROKE, N.C. – The Augusta University baseball team opened a Peach Belt Conference series at 21st nationally-ranked UNC Pembroke on Friday night and won 18-16 in an offensive battle.

The Jaguars (2-6,1-3 PBC) totaled 19 hits to UNCP's 15 to win the first game of the road series.

Devin Bilardello, Zack Goble (PCHS 2015), Timothy Gray, and Mason Robertson all had three hits to lead the AU offense.

The Braves scored first with a run in the second, but Augusta answered with three in the third. UNCP took one back with another lone run in the third, but AU jabbed back again and took a 7-3 lead after scoring in the fourth and four in the fifth.

Augusta exploded for seven runs in the top of the sixth on four hits – highlighted by Mason Robertson's three-run homer.

UNCP wasn't done and plated five in the seventh and six in the eighth to take the lead. AU tied it 16-16 in the ninth and took a lead when Timothy Gray and Robertson hit singles. The Jags held off the Braves and stranded runners in the ninth to win 18-16.

Augusta used eight pitchers in the game.

The PBC series continues on Saturday, Feb. 17 with game two of the series. Augusta hosts Valdosta State on Wednesday, Feb. 21 for a 4:00 p.m. single non-conference contest at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

As Always, Go Bears!

AMERICUS, Ga. – Opening the third Peach Belt Conference series of the season on Friday night, the Augusta University baseball team won 7-1 over Georgia Southwestern at Hurricane Stadium.

The Jaguars (3-9, 2-5 PBC) scored four runs in the second inning on a grand slam from freshman Mason Robertson and they never looked back. Senior righty Matt Meeks (1-1) got his first win in his fourth start of the season with 10 strikeouts. He tossed a complete game and only allowed one run on four hits.

After senior Jim Wagner hit a leadoff single and junior Caleb MacElwaney and freshman Trent Maddox drew walks, the reigning PBC Freshman of the Week, Mason Robertson, blasted a grand slam to put the Jags on top 4-0.

The Canes answered with a solo homer in the bottom of the third, but AU juniors Zack Goble (PCHS 2015) and Bakari Gayle stroked two singles, with Gayle's scoring McElwaney and Goble's moving Gayle to third for him to score on a wild pitch.

Gayle and Goble each went 3-for-5 in the win for the Jags. Augusta returns on Saturday, Feb. 24 to wrap the PBC series with a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader.

As Always, Go Bears!

AMERICUS, Ga. – The Augusta University baseball team played a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader at Georgia Southwestern on Saturday afternoon and won 8-4 and 11-9 in extra innings at Hurricane Stadium. The Jaguars (5-9, 4-5 PBC) won game one on Friday night by a score of 7-1 and took the doubleheader to sweep the league series.

AU begins a nine game home stretch on Tuesday, Feb. 27 with a non-conference game against North Greenville at 4:00 p.m. in Lake Olmstead Stadium.

GAME 1
Augusta outhit the Canes 13-8 and won 8-4 despite recording four errors in the field. Junior Harrison Moore went 4-for-4 with four RBI and a scored run. Junior Bakari Gayle was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs and an RBI, while junior Zack Goble (PCHS 2015) and freshman Mason Robertson also each had two hits for Augusta.

Moore and Bilardello got it going in the top of the first, when Moore scored Bilardello on a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead. GSW tied it in the third with an RBI single, but Gayle and Moore each recorded two RBI in the top of the fifth. GSW made it a one-run game at the end of the sixth, but Augusta carded two in the eighth and won 8-4 down the stretch.

Rookie Jay Pendley (2-1) made his third start on the mound for Augusta and pitched five innings. He struck out six and allowed six hits for four runs (one earned) to get the win. Brennen Berger and Ben Parr pitched in relief for the Jags to help the team to a win.

GAME 2
GSW scored two in the first inning, but AU rallied and plated three in the third and two in the fourth to steal a 5-2 lead. Augusta's eventual 7-2 lead didn't last when the Canes carded three in the seventh and pair in the eighth to tie the game.

Each team scored one in the ninth to force extra innings and AU put up three in the top of the 10^th and won 11-9. Patrick Watson and Goble scored on an error and senior Ty Hobbs delivered an RBI single to left field as the Jags led 11-8 and won 11-9.

Junior lefty Sam Goberdhan logged his fourth start of the year for the Jaguars and struck out nine batters in six innings pitched. Three runs scored during his time on the mound, but only one was earned. Chase Slone and Casey Lenoch pitched in relief and each surrendered two runs, before Goble, Cody Pugh and Berger came in late – with Berger picking up the save.

Goble (2-0) got the win on mound and went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Gayle, Moore, and Hobbs each had two hits as well for Augusta. Each team matched 13 hits in the game.

As Always, Go Bears!

PCHS senior baseball players Stetson Smith, Kyler Allen and Zack Goble (l to r) are shown signing their papers to attend college and continue playing baseball at the next level. Stetson and Zack are signing with Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah and Kyler is signing with the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.  

.

Shown in the top left photo are Kevin Allen, Kyler Allen and Tena Allen. Standing is team chaplain Lynn Harris, assistant coach Jamie Ammons, head coach Greg Gay, assistant coach Andrew Evans and athletic director Sean Pender.

Shown in the bottom left photo is Blake Smith, Stetson Smith, Melissa Smith and Spencer Smith. Standing is team chaplain Lynn Harris, assistant coach Jamie Ammons, head coach Greg Gay, assistant coach Andrew Evans and athletic director Sean Pender.

Shown in the bottom right photo is Ray Goble, Zack Goble and Robbi Goble. Standing is team chaplain Lynn Harris, assistant coach Jamie Ammons, head coach Greg Gay, assistant coach Andrew Evans and athletic director Sean Pender.

Congratulations to these three outstanding young men and their families for their hard work and dedication and we wish them the best of luck at the next level.

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Armstrong State University head baseball coach Calvain Culberson has announced the signing of Pierce County High School baseball players Stetson Smith and Zack Goble to national letters of intent to play for the Pirates in 2016.

The pair inked with the Pirates during the early signing period, which began last Wednesday. Both players are a successful part of the Pierce County HS program that has made three straight Elite Eight appearances and finished as the Georgia State Runners-Up in 2012.

"Stetson comes to us from first-class programs in both high school and summer ball," Culberson said. "Coach Gay and Coach Jeffers do great jobs developing players and young men. Stetson has shown toughness and a blue-collar style of play both on the baseball and the football fields. If you have ever been to a South Georgia game on a Friday night, you had better be tough or you won't last very long. With his makeup and physical ability, Stetson will play a big role for us in the middle of the infield for years to come. He has the athleticism to do different things offensively and defensively to help us win games. Stetson wants to be a coach in the future and I have no doubts that, with his character and competitiveness, he will make a great coach some day."

Stetson Smith hit .409 with 10 doubles and 24 stolen bases for Pierce County as a junior in 2014, helping lead the Bears to a 27-7 record and an Elite Eight appearance. He hit .322 with eight doubles and 16 stolen bases as a sophomore in 2013 and earned All-Region 2-AA honors both seasons.

"Zack is also a product of Pierce County High School and Round Trip Baseball with coaches Gay and Jeffers," Culberson said. "We first saw Zack at a practice last spring and fell in love with his raw power. Zack has the physical makeup and tools to hit in the middle of the lineup and provide a lot of power. Defensively, he is very versatile. He plays first base right now, but athletically could transition to the outfield in the future. We could not be happier to have both Zack and Stetson come here as teammates, wanting to pursue a collegiate career together. Both excel in the classroom and I know that their future at Armstrong is bright. They will represent our university and Pierce County very well."

Goble hit .350 with three home runs, nine doubles, 30 RBI and nine steals as a junior for the Bears, while hitting .370 with two home runs, eight doubles, 24 RBI and 14 stolen bases as a sophomore. The duo hail from Blackshear, Ga., and will enroll in Armstrong in the fall of 2015.

ALBANY, Ga. - The Armstrong State University baseball squad split a non-conference doubleheader at Albany State on Tuesday at Golden Ram Park. The Pirates won game one, 15-7, while the Rams took game two, 9-5, in seven innings.

The split keeps Armstrong State at .500 on the season at 11-11, while Albany State moves to 4-23 on the year. The Pirates return to action on Saturday, hosting Augusta in a 1:00 p.m. Peach Belt Conference contest at Pirate Field.

In game one, the Rams struck first with a three-run home run by Cody Fleck to take a 3-0 lead in the second inning. The Pirates tied things up in the top of the third on an RBI single by Cody Sherlin, an RBI double by Jerad Curry and an RBI groundout by Zack Goble (PCHS 2015).

Each team would plate four runs over the next three innings, making the score 7-7 heading to the top of the eighth. There, the Pirates would explode for eight runs as Curry led off the frame with a solo home run. Berry Aldridge, Will Austin and Spencer Harvey added RBI doubles in the frame as the Pirates sent 13 men to the plate.

Ryan Lawless (1-0) picked up the win for the Pirates, hurling 3 2/3 innings of hit less ball, striking out three. Albany State's Peyton Dixon took the loss, giving up five hits and three runs in 1 2/3 innings of work.

Curry went 4-for-5 with three RBI to lead the Pirates offensively in game one, while Sherlin and Corley each had three hits apiece. 

In game two, the Pirates built a 4-1 lead over the first three innings thanks to a Goble sacrifice fly and an error in the first inning, then a two-run double from Goble in the third.

Albany State took the lead with a four-run bottom of the third inning, on a Terence Worthy RBI single, then a bases-loaded walk and a pair of bases-loaded hit batters by Pirate pitcher Sid Royal (1-2) to make the score 5-4.

The Rams stretched their lead to 7-4 in the fourth thanks to an error and a sacrifice fly. Stetson Smith's (PCHS 2015) RBI single in the fifth cut the lead to 7-5, but Albany State scored two more unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth for the final margin.

Royal hurled three-plus innings, giving up eight hits and seven runs - five earned - while walking two and striking out four. Eden Payano got the win in relief for the Rams, giving up one hit and one run in 2 2/3 innings of work, walking two while striking out four.

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong State University baseball squad used a five-run fourth inning to pick up a 6-4 non-conference victory over visiting Albany State on Tuesday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The Pirates (12-14) halted a four-game losing streak with the win over the Rams (7-24). Albany State saw its season-best four-game winning streak come to a close with the loss. Armstrong State returns to action on Friday, hosting North Georgia in an 11:00 a.m. Peach Belt Conference doubleheader at Pirate Field.

Armstrong State took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning without the benefit of a hit as Zack Goble (PCHS 2015) and Spencer Harvey drew walks to start the inning. A balk moved both runners up one base and Cody Sherlin delivered a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Goble.

Albany State tied things up in the third innning on a sacrifice fly by Riese McDaniel.

The Rams then scored three runs in the fourth inning to take a 4-1 lead. With the bases loaded and one out, a ground ball to second base saw Sherlin collide with the baserunner, dislodging the ball and allowing Cody Fleck to score. A wild pitch and an error plated two more runs in the inning for Albany State.

The Pirates then sent 10 men to the plate in the bottom of the fourth to take a 6-4 lead. An RBI double by Will Austin, a passed ball and a sacrifice fly by Chandler Corley tied the game up at 4-4. Ryan Patterson then tripled and Jerad Curry and JT Phillips followed with back-to-back RBI doubles to give the Pirates the two-run lead.

Junior Caleb Woods then shut down the Rams bats, hurling 5 1/3 innings of three-hit shutout ball, striking out four to notch the win in relief and move to 2-0. 

Gary Cannon took the loss for the Rams, giving up three hits and two runs in 1/3 inning of work.

Phillips went 3-for-5 with an RBI to pace the Pirates offensively in the contest. Curry, Patterson, Stetson Smith (PCHS 2015) and Austin each had two hits as well.

McDaniel and Kelvin Wimbush had two hits apiece for the Rams.

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The University of North Georgia baseball team swept a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader from host Armstrong State University on Friday, taking game one, 6-0, and winning game two, 6-5, in 11 innings.

The wins move the Nighthawks to 16-12 overall and 8-9 in the Peach Belt Conference, while Armstrong State falls to 12-18 overall and 4-13 in the league. The two teams will wrap up their Peach Belt series with a single game at Noon on Saturday.

In game one, North Georgia's Brandon Agar (3-2) hurled a three-hit shutout, walking two while striking out 14 to pick up the win. Trevor Sams drove in three runs with a double and a home run while Sam Tidaback launched a two-run home run for the Nighthawks.

Corey Kafka (1-3) took the loss for the Pirates in game one, giving up six hits and five runs in 7 2/3 innings of work, walking three while striking out 11.

In game two, the Pirates and the Nighthawks were tied up at 4-4 heading into the top of the seventh inning. North Georgia's Sams had an RBI infield single to short that put the Nighthawks ahead by one, 5-4, but the Pirates tied things up in the bottom of the eighth inning on a Will Austin double to left center field.

North Georgia scored the winning run in the top of the 11th inning on Devin Gearhart's two-out RBI single that scored Kevin Krupp.

Jacob Jones (2-1) hurled three innings of two-hit shutout relief, striking out six to notch the win for the Nighthawks. Ryan Lawless (1-2) took the loss for the Pirates, giving up three hits and two runs - one earned - in five innings of work, walking two while striking out five.

Austin had two hits and two RBI in game two for the Pirates, while Zack Goble (PCHS (2015) had three hits and Cody Sherlin had two hits and two RBI. Gearhart finished game two for the Nighthawks 3-for-6 with a stolen base and an RBI.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Flagler College completed a Peach Belt Conference series sweep of visiting Armstrong State University with a pair of wins on Saturday at Drysdale Field. The Saints took game one, 12-4, and game two, 13-9.

Flagler improves to 22-14 overall and 10-11 in the Peach Belt with the wins, while Armstrong State falls to 15-22 overall and 6-18 in the league with the losses. Armstrong State returns to action on Tuesday, visiting Embry-Riddle for a 6:00 p.m. non-conference contest in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Saints took a 3-0 lead over the Pirates in the first game over the first three innings. The Pirates answered in the fourth inning with back-to-back solo home runs by Chandler Corley and Zack Goble (PCHS 2015). 

Flagler hit four home runs after that to close out the 12-4 win in game one. Michael Malocco (6-1) notched the win for Flagler, giving up eight hits and three runs in eight innings, walking one while striking out five. JT Phillips (4-4) took the loss for the Pirates in game one, giving up eight hits and five runs in 4 2/3 innings, walking two while striking out six. Goble and Jerad Curry each had three hits for the Pirates in game one.

In game two, the Pirates and the Saints each plated four runs in the first inning - the Pirates on a Ryan Patterson solo home run, a two-run single by Berry Aldridge and an RBI single by Goble. A two-run single by Aldridge in the second gave the Pirates a 6-4 lead, but Flagler scored seven straight runs over four innings to take an 11-6 lead and hold on for the 13-9 victory.

Luke Cooksey (4-0) earned the game two win for Flagler in relief, giving up three hits and two runs in 4 1/3 innings of work, walking two while striking out six. Aaron Bentley (0-2) took the loss for the Pirates, giving up eight hits and seven runs in two innings of work, walking one and striking out one.

Aldridge notched his first career five-hit game to lead the Pirates offensively, going 5-for-5 with four RBI.

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Georgia College baseball used a ninth-inning comeback to complete a Peach Belt Conference series sweep of host Armstrong State University on Sunday at Pirate Field. The Bobcats scored three runs in the ninth to take game one, 6-5, then closed out the series with an 8-3 win in game two.

The Pirates (15-25, 6-20 PBC) saw their losing streak reach seven with the losses, while Georgia College improves to 24-16 overall and 13-11 in the Peach Belt with the wins. Armstrong State returns to action on Saturday, traveling to Columbus State for a 5:00 p.m. Peach Belt match-up with the Cougars.

Armstrong State built a 4-0 lead in game one thanks to a three-run fourth inning - keyed by a Chandler Corley RBI double - and a sacrifice fly by Jerad Curry in the fifth. Georgia College cut the lead to two with back-to-back RBI doubles by Brandon Purcell and Tanner Giesel in the sixth and a Wesley Wommack solo home run in the seventh.

The Pirates pushed the lead back to 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single by Curry.

In the top of the ninth inning, the Pirates were one out away from securing the win, but Dylan Cook blasted a two-run home run to tie the score, then Matthew Miller notched an RBI double to give the Bobcats at 6-5 lead. 

Armstrong State had a golden chance to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth as Will Austin reached on an error and made it to third with nobody out, but Cameron Busby (8-2) retired the next three batters, stranding Austin at third to claim the win.

Busby notched his second win of the weekend with 2 2/3 innings of one-hit shutout relief, walking one while striking out two. Ryan Lawless (2-3) took the loss in relief for the Pirates, giving up three hits and three runs - two earned - in two innings of work, striking out two.

Curry went 2-for-2 with two RBI while Corley went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Pirates in game one. Cook went 5-for-5 with two RBI for the Bobcats.

In game two, the Pirates snapped a 1-1 tie in the third inning on a two-run single by Zack Goble (PCHS 2015) to take a 3-1 lead, but the Bobcats scored a run in the fourth and then took the lead for good with a four-run seventh inning, highlighted by an RBI double by Cook.

Trevor Guthrie (2-3) notched the win for the Bobcats in game two, giving up seven hits and three runs in seven innings of work, walking two while striking out three. Jamie Thaggard (1-2) took the loss for the Pirates in game two, giving up two hits and one walk in four batters faced, giving up four runs.

Curry went 3-for-3 with a solo home run for the Pirates in game two, while Goble went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Cook went 3-for-5 for the Bobcats.

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong State University athletic department placed 93  - or 58% of all of the Pirate student-athletes - on the Peach Belt Conference's Presidential Honor Roll for 2015-16, announced today by conference officials. Student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher (on a 4.00 scale) for the entire 2015-16 academic year to be honored.

It's the third year out of the last four that Armstrong State has had 90 or more Presidential Honor Roll honorees. Eight student-athletes - softball player Peyton Roth; women's soccer players Candace Cosby, Taylor Valley and Taylor Russell; baseball players Corey Crunk, Cody Sherlin and Tyler Green as well as volleyball player Kayla Berns - earned the honor all four years as a Pirate.

In all, 1,630 student-athletes were named to the PBC Presidential Honor Roll from the 14 league schools, the seventh straight year in which more than 1,000 student-athletes were honored and a new high for the league.

For the eighth straight year, the honor roll has been divided into four groups: Presidential Scholars, Bronze Scholars, Silver Scholars and Gold Scholars. All student-athletes with a GPA of 3.00 to 3.24 are Presidential Scholars, while Bronze Scholars are 3.25 to 3.49; Silver 3.50 to 3.74 and the Gold scholars are those with a 3.75 to 4.00 GPA.

Armstrong State University's Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll honorees for 2015-16 are (times named to the Honor Roll are in parenthesis):

Gold Scholars: Randi Schroedel (2), Alli Litchfield (3), Ashley Green (2), Olivia DeJong (2), Brendie Rockholt, Paige Gocke (3), Peyton Roth (4), Savanna Gladue (3), Tori Bates (3), Henning Schein (2), Grant MacNeil, Otakar Lucak (2), Erica Laurens (3), Iva Scepanovic (2), Jane Trzaska (3), Carolina Prats-Millan (3), Candace Cosby (3), Carley Eiken (2), Diana Stomlega (2), Lindsay Stewart (2), Kayla Berns (4), Amanda Green (2), Zack Goble (1), Erin Berube (3), Tyler Green (4), Ashley Sterritt (2), Kristi Vaughn (2), Martha Trimbach, Taylor Russell (4), Kennedi Herrmann (3).  

Silver Scholars: Sophie Bargeron (2), Hannah Reppert (2), Annie Chandler, Pamela Mosley (3), Luca Cerin (3), Morgan Luckie (3), Jenny Allen (2), Kim Brody (2), Kailey Goins (3), Lexy Schoonover (2), Anna McGee (2), Lena Pacholski, Taylor Snell, Marek Pesicka (2), Spencer Harvey, Justin Adkins, Taylor Valley (4), Ryan Lawless, Parker Schroedel, Asa Thorsen, Lena Lutzeier (2), Tiara Baker. 

Bronze Scholars: Nicole Fossa Huergo (2), Shelby Drittler, Brigitta Barta (3), Jaycee Bunner, Michelle Allen (2), Nathalia Baigorria (2), Ryan Patterson (3), McKenzie Anderson (2), Bailey Buie, Michelle Breen (2), Isabel Fabacher (2), Reid Rathburn, Tyler Key, Josh Glossop, Corey Crunk (4), Jacob Tinsley (2), Machala Raymonville (2), Madison Sox (2), George Brown (3), Will Austin, Shema Sabiiti (2), Witalij Martynow, Brittany Hereth (3). 

Presidential Scholars: Cody Sherlin (4), Jessica Doyle, Alejandra Cisneros, Deundria Clark, Gustav Beckvid, Nick Scott (2), Macy Coleman, Lexie Stohr, Andrew Burgess, Sierra Newman, Sid Royal, Brooke Standard (2), Sarah Olin, Sierra Peebles, Brian Brown, Jamie Thaggard.

Source: http://armstrongpirates.com/insideAthletics/2015-16/news/pbc62816

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - ArmstrongStateUniversity baseball split a pair of games on Sunday, wrapping up its season-opening weekend of action in Daytona Beach, Fla. The Pirates defeated host Embry-Riddle, 4-2, in the first game but fell to Valdosta State, 8-1, in the second game.

The Pirates (1-2) will return to action on Wednesday, hosting Morehouse at 2:00 p.m. at Pirate Field in its first home game of 2017.

Against the Eagles, freshman Tanner Hall (1-0) spun a complete-game four-hitter, walking two while striking out 10 to pick up the win in his first collegiate start.

Sophomore Zack Goble (PCHS 2015) and freshman Timothy Gray had RBI singles in the top of the first inning to give the Pirates an early 2-0 lead, but Embry-Riddle's Cody Bogart delivered a two-run double in the second to tie the game at 2-all.

Freshman Will Hodges' RBI fielder's choice in the seventh snapped a 2-all tie and gave the Pirates a one-run lead. Junior Chandler Corley's RBI fielder's choice in the eighth capped the scoring.

Junior Mike Warren went 4-for-5 at the plate to lead the Pirates' 13-hit attack, while Goble went 3-for-5 with an RBI.

Embry-Riddle pitcher Jackson McFarland (1-1) took the loss in relief for the Eagles, giving up three hits and one run in three innings.

In the second game of the day, ValdostaState's Daniel Williams hurled a complete game seven-hitter, giving up one unearned run while striking out eight in the 8-1 win for the Blazers.

Warren accounted for the lone run for the Pirates, hitting a lead off triple in the fourth and scoring on an error.

David Wortham went 3-for-3 with two runs scored to lead the Blazers.

(Source: http://armstrongpirates.com/sports/bsb/2016-17/releases/20170205vvspza) 

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong State University baseball squad rapped out 20 hits in picking up a 17-8 win over visiting Paine College on Saturday afternoon at Pirate Field. The Pirates (3-2) will host the Lions (0-4) in an 11 a.m. doubleheader on Sunday to wrap up the three-game series at Pirate Field.

Armstrong State scored four runs in the first inning - three coming courtesy of a three-run home run by sophomore Zack Goble (PCHS 2015) - to take an early 4-0 lead. The Pirates scored in each of the first six innings, putting up three-run frames in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 12-1 lead.

Paine scored a single run in the top of the sixth on a Jaron Johnson RBI single, but the Pirates plated five in the bottom of the sixth, thanks to a wild pitch and a grand slam home run by freshman Will Hodges, his first collegiate home run.

The Lions answered back with five runs in the top of the seventh, including a pair on a two-run home run by Adam Martin, to make the score 17-7. Paine capped the scoring in the ninth on an RBI double by Randal Quarles.

In all, the Pirates had 20 hits on the day, including four doubles and two home runs. Junior Caleb Slaughter broke out of an 0-for-16 slump by going 4-for-5 with two doubles and four RBI, while senior Ryan Patterson went 3-for-5 with a double and three runs scored. 

Matt Meeks (1-0) picked up the win for the Pirates, hurling five innings of four-hit, one-run ball, walking three while striking out four. Evan Krenz (0-2) took the loss for the Lions, giving up 14 hits and 12 runs in four-plus innings of work, walking four while striking out three.

Martin led the Lions at the plate with a 2-for-5 day, driving in three, while Johnson went 3-for-5 as well.

Source: http://armstrongpirates.com/sports/bsb/index 

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong State University baseball squad completed a weekend series sweep of visiting Paine College with a pair of wins on Sunday at Pirate Field. The Pirates won game one, 21-2, and took game two, 11-0, in eight innings.

Armstrong State improves to 5-2 on the season with the wins, while Paine College falls to 0-6. The Pirates return to action on Wednesday, traveling to Sumter, S.C. to take on Catawba College in a 5:00 p.m. neutral site contest.

The Pirates opened up game one with two runs in the first inning on RBI singles by sophomore Zack Goble (PCHS 2015) and freshman Timothy Gray. Paine tied the game up in the top of the third inning on a Ricky Carvajal two-run home run.

Armstrong State then broke the game open by sending 13 men to the plate in a nine-run bottom of the third inning, highlighted by a grand slam home run from freshman Will Hodges - his second grand slam home run in as many days. Junior Caleb Slaughter added a solo shot as well in the frame.

The Pirates then batted around in the fourth inning, scoring six runs. Armstrong State capped the scoring in the eighth with four runs, three on a bases-clearing three-run double by junior Chandler Corley.

Freshman Tanner Hall (2-0) picked up the win for the Pirates, giving up six hits and two runs in five innings of work, walking one while striking out four.

Richard Marte took the loss for Paine, giving up 10 hits and 11 runs in 2 2/3 innings of work.

Hodges went 3-for-4 with five RBI, while Gray went 4-for-4 with four RBI and Corley finished the game 2-for-5 with five RBI. Ricky Carvajal went 2-for-5 with two RBI to lead the Lions in game one.

In game two, the Pirates scored in all but one inning of the eight-inning contest to take an 11-1 win over the Lions. Armstrong State led 2-0 heading to the bottom of the fourth and broke open the game with a six-run frame, getting a two-run double by Goble and a two-run single by Hodges to build an 8-0 lead.

Senior Tray Roberts launched a solo home run in the fifth, and junior Tyler Epps hit a solo home run in the sixth to add to the Pirates' lead. Paine's lone run came in the top of the eighth inning on an RBI single by Jahziel Morel.

Sophomore Sam Goberdhan (1-0) picked up the win in game two, giving up three hits and no runs in five innings, walking one while striking out three. Zach Radar (0-2) took the loss for Paine, giving up 13 hits and 10 runs - nine earned - in six innings of work, walking three while striking out four.

Junior Mike Warren went 3-for-4 in game two for the Pirates, while Hodges went 2-for-4 with three RBI and Corley, Goble and Roberts each had two hits and two RBI. 

(Source: http://armstrongpirates.com/sports/bsb/2016-17/releases/20170212qx8f0p) 

SAVANNAH, GA - The Armstrong State University baseball squad collected 44 hits in a doubleheader sweep of visiting Salem International University on Saturday at Pirate Field. The Pirates won game one, 20-4, and took game two, 18-2, in seven innings.

The wins run the Pirates' current win streak to six as Armstrong State improves to 7-2 on the year. Salem International falls to 0-8 on the season with the losses. The two teams will wrap up their weekend series with a pair of games on Sunday, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The Pirates plated six runs in the first inning of the first game - all with two outs - to take a 6-0 lead. Freshman Timothy Gray had a two-run triple and freshman Trey Polewski had a two-run single.

Armstrong State busted the game wide open in the seventh as the first 12 batters in the inning reached base, leading to an 11-run outburst - including a grand slam home run from senior Ryan Patterson. In all, the Pirates had 22 hits in the first-game win.

Junior Ryan Meeks (2-0) picked up the win in game one, limiting the Tigers to six hits and two runs - one earned - in seven innings of work, striking out eight. Albert Cartenuto (0-1) took the loss for Salem International, giving up 11 hits and seven runs - three earned - in six innings of work, walking three while striking out one.

Patterson went 3-for-4 with two doubles and his grand slam home run, while junior Mike Warren went 3-for-6 with three RBI. Matthew Flores went 2-for-3 with a two-run double to lead the Tigers in game one.

In game two, the Pirates used a nine-run first inning to jump out to the early lead and cruise to the 18-2 win. Junior Chandler Corley swung the big bat of the second game for the Pirates, going 4-for-5 with a three-run home run and a total of seven RBI, a career high. Sophomore Zack Goble (PCHS 2015) went 4-for-5 with three RBI as well.

Nathan Ward (1-0) picked up the win in relief with 1 2/3 innings of one-hit shutout relief, walking one while striking out two. Jordan Wagner (0-2) took the loss for the Tigers, giving up eight hits and nine runs in one inning of work, walking three while striking out one.

(Source: http://armstrongpirates.com/sports/bsb/2016-17/releases/20170218uv8g1b)

Webmaster’s Note: Stetson Smith (PCHS 2015) also connected with an RBI hit and scored as well in game one but was not mentioned in the Armstrong article. Smith also got on twice in game two and was stranded, unable to score.

SAVANNAH, GA - The Armstrong State University baseball squad completed a four-game weekend sweep of visiting Salem International University with a pair of wins on Sunday at Pirate Field. The Pirates won the first game, 21-3, and took the second game, 11-2.

The wins stretch Armstrong State's winning streak to eight games as the Pirates improved to 9-2 on the season. Salem International fell to 0-10 overall with the losses. Armstrong State returns to action on Tuesday, visiting Claflin for a 5:00 p.m. non-conference contest with the Panthers.

The Pirates took a 2-0 lead in the first inning of Sunday's game one on a two-run home run by sophomore Zack Goble (PCHS 2015). Salem International scored a single run on an error in the second, then freshman Timothy Gray connected on a solo home run in the bottom of the second. A sacrifice fly by Zach Mullinax in the top of the third made the score 3-2, but Armstrong State then scored 14 runs in the bottom of the third inning - including a two-run home run from freshman Will Hodges and a three-run shot from Goble - to break open the contest.

Armstrong State finished up with 18 hits in the game as Goble went 3-for-4 with two home runs, four runs scored and seven RBI to lead the attack. Sophomore Sam Goberdhan (2-0) picked up the win in the seven-inning contest with four innings of two-hit ball, giving up two unearned runs and walking two while striking out five.

Salem International starter Steven Craddock (0-1) took the loss, giving up two hits and two runs in one inning, striking out one.

In game two, the Pirates used a six-run second inning, highlighted by a three-run home run by senior Spencer Harvey, to go on to the 11-2 win in seven innings. Harvey went 2-for-5 with four RBI while junior Caleb Slaughter went 3-for-4 with two RBI to pace the Pirate bats.

Senior Blake Turner (1-1) picked up the win for the Pirates in game two, hurling four innings of two-hit shutout ball, walking three while striking out five. Abel Hernandez (0-3) took the loss for the Tigers, giving up 13 hits and 11 runs, nine earned, in four innings of work, walking one while striking out seven.

(Source: http://armstrongpirates.com/sports/bsb/2016-17/releases/20170219p9nfru)

Webmaster’s Note: Not mentioned in the article from ASU but also having a good day at the plate was Stetson Smith (PCHS 2015).Smith went 2 for 4 in game one and scored twice. Smith also reached base once in game two and scored in that at bat too.

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong State University baseball squad used five doubles and a grand slam home run from senior Ryan Patterson to power past No. 18 (NAIA) USC Beaufort, 16-4, on Wednesday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The Pirates (13-3) halted an eight-game win streak for the Sand Sharks (9-4) while picking up their third straight win. Armstrong State will next open up Peach Belt Conference play by hosting No. 9-ranked USC Aiken for a 1:30 p.m. contest on Friday at Pirate Field.

Armstrong State got an RBI groundout from Patterson for a quick 1-0 lead in the first, then plated five runs in the second, highlighted by RBI doubles from Mark Felton and Zack Goble (PCHS 2015).

Will Hodges then added a pair of runs with a two-run double in the fourth and the Pirates tacked on two more on an error by the Sand Sharks for the 10-0 lead.

After Goble's second RBI double of the game in the fifth made the score 11-0, the Sand Sharks got on the board with a three-run sixth inning. Patterson then put the game out of reach with a grand slam that capped a five-run eighth inning - the fourth grand slam of the season for Armstrong State in just 16 games. The school record for grand slams in a season is five, set in 1992 and in 2007.

Aaron Bentley (3-0) was the beneficiary of the offense, picking up his third win of the season in as many starts. He gave up three hits and three runs in six innings, walking six while striking out two.

 USC Beaufort starter Colin Tindall (0-1) took the loss, giving up six hits and six runs in 2 1/3 innings of work, walking one and striking out three.

Patterson finished the day 1-for-5 with six RBI and three runs scored, while Corley and Goble each drove in two with two hits.

USC Beaufort's Alex Murphy had two hits for the Sand Sharks in the contest.

(Source: http://armstrongpirates.com/sports/bsb/2016-17/releases/20170301qldrt9) 

SAVANNAH, Ga. - USC Aiken's Nile Goings clubbed a three-run home run in the fourth inning to help the No. 9-ranked Pacers collect a 7-2 Peach Belt Conference win over host Armstrong State University on Saturday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The Pacers improved to 14-3 overall and 5-0 in the league with the win, while Armstrong State (13-5, 0-2 PBC) drops back-to-back games for the first time this season with the loss. The two teams will wrap up their three game PBC series on Sunday with a 1:00 p.m. first pitch.

Armstrong State picked up the first run of the game on Chandler Corley's RBI single in the bottom of the third inning, staking the Pirates to a short-lived 1-0 lead. In the top of the fourth, Goings then hit a three-run shot off of Armstrong State starter Tanner Hall (3-1) to give the Pacers a 3-1 lead.

Zach Moon added a solo home run in the top of the sixth to make the score 4-1 in favor of USC Aiken, but the Pirates' Caleb Slaughter got that run back on an inside-the-park home run to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Trailing by a 4-2 score, the Pirates had a golden opportunity to tie in the bottom of the eighth when Zack Goble (PCHS 2015) and Slaughter led off the inning with back-to-back hits, but USC Aiken reliever William Ard threw out the lead runner on a bunt attempt, then induced a double-play ball to get out of the jam.

The Pacers added three insurance runs in the top of the ninth on an RBI single by Juan Bonilla, a throwing error by the Pirates' Nick Andress on a failed pickoff throw and a sacrifice fly by Jonathan Banks.

Joseph Benitez (4-1) notched the win for USC Aiken, hurling seven innings, giving up eight hits and two runs, walking one while striking out 10. Hall took the loss for the Pirates, going 6 2/3 innings and giving up four hits and four runs, walking three while striking out six.

Will Hodges went 3-for-4 with a double to lead the Pirates at the plate, while Slaughter and Corley each had two hits. Bonilla and Moon had two hits apiece to lead the Pacers.

(Source: http://armstrongpirates.com/sports/bsb/2016-17/releases/20170304ol1w0a)

SAVANNAH, GA - No. 9-ranked USC Aiken scored three times in the top of the 10th inning to complete a wild 12-9 extra-inning Peach Belt Conference win over Armstrong State University on Sunday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The Pacers pick up their second PBC series sweep of the season, improving to 15-3 overall and 6-0 in the league, while Armstrong State falls to 13-6 overall and 0-3 in the PBC. The Pirates return to action on Wednesday, visiting Morehouse for a 2:00 p.m. non-conference contest.

The Pirates trailed by five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, 9-4, but drew five walks from reliever James Lynch - including bases-loaded walks by Zack Goble (PCHS 2015) and Caleb Slaughter - to pull to within three runs, 9-6. 

With the bases loaded, Will Hodges lifted a long drive to left field that looked ticketed for a game-winning grand slam home run, but USC Aiken's Mitchell Price was able to keep the ball in the park. The result was a game-tying three-run double that sent the game into the 10th inning.

Charles Padilla then broke the deadlock in the top of the 10th with an RBI double, and Daulton Weeks added a two-run single for the final 12-9 margin, completing the series sweep.

William Ard (3-0) picked up the win in relief for the Pacers, giving up three hits and no runs in 1 1/3 innings of work, striking out one. Nick Andress (0-1) took the loss for the Pirates as he was tagged for four hits and three runs in 1 1/3 innings of work, striking out one.

Zack Goble drove in three runs for the Pirates, two on a fourth-inning home run, while Will Browning finished the day 3-for-4 and Hodges drove in four runs on a pair of hits. Daulton Weeks led the Pacers at the plate with a 4-for-5 day with five RBIs, including a pair of doubles.

(Source: http://armstrongpirates.com/sports/bsb/2016-17/releases/20170305qb1jv9)

BELMONT, N.C. - The Belmont Abbey College baseball squad scored 13 runs over three innings to pick up a 17-10 victory over visiting Armstrong State College on Wednesday evening at Abbey Yard in Belmont, N.C.

The Crusaders improved to 15-11 overall with the win, while Armstrong State fell to 13-10 with the loss, the seventh straight for the Pirates. Armstrong State will try to halt its losing streak on Monday, traveling to Sumter, S.C., to take on No. 5 Mount Olive in a 5:00 p.m. neutral site contest.

Belmont Abbey got on the board first in the second inning, with a two-run home run by Matt McGarry putting the Crusaders up 2-0.

A bases-loaded walk issued to Josh Genthe gave Belmont Abbey a 3-0 lead in the third inning, but the Pirates put up a six-run fourth inning to take a 6-3 lead - thanks to a two-run double from Zack Goble (PCHS 2015), an error, a wild pitch and an RBI single from Chandler Corley.

The Crusaders picked up a run back in the bottom of the fourth on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Nick Nunziato, but the Pirates picked the run back up in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by Caleb Slaughter.

Belmont Abbey took the lead for good with four runs in the bottom of the fifth, highlighted by a two-run single by Nunziato. The Crusaders tacked on four more runs in the sixth and five in the seventh to build a 17-7 lead.

Armstrong State plated three in the top of the ninth to cap the scoring on the night - on a Will Hodges RBI dobule, a sacrifice fly by Mark Felton and an error.

Sam Luchansky (1-2) picked up the win in relief for the Crusaders, pitching 1 1/3 innings of shutout relief with two strikeouts. Caleb Woods (0-2) took the loss for the Pirates, giving up two hits and five runs - one earned - in 1 2/3 innings of work, walking three.

Senior Ryan Patterson had three hits and three runs scored for the Pirates, while Corley and Mike Warren had two hits apiece. Nunziato and Kayden Krause each had two hits and three RBI for the Crusaders.

PCB Webmaster’ Note: Stetson Smith (PCHS 2015) went 1 for 2 during the game hitting a single to centerfield during the top half of the eighth inning.

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Augusta State University completed a Peach Belt Conference baseball sweep of visiting Armstrong State University with a pair of wins on Saturday at Lake Olmstead Stadium. The Jaguars won game one, 5-4, and took game two, 9-4.

The Jaguars improved to 13-14 overall and 7-8 in the PBC with the wins, while Armstrong State fell to 14-14 overall and 0-9 in the PBC with the losses. The Pirates return to action on Tuesday, hosting Albany State in a 2:00 p.m. non-conference contest at Pirate Field.

In game one, the Pirates opened up strong as senior Ryan Patterson's two-run home run staked Armstrong State to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Augusta's Cole Janousek plated a run with an RBI single in the bottom of the first, then the Jaguars took a 3-2 lead in the second on a sacrifice fly by Brent Alford and an RBI single by Clint Hardy.

Sophomore Zack Goble's (PCHS 2015) solo home run in the fourth tied the game at 3-all. Tyler Roberts had an RBI groundout in the bottom of the fourth to give the Jaguars a 4-3 lead.

In the seventh inning, the Pirates tied things up on an RBI groundout from junior Chandler Corley, but in the bottom of the seventh inning, Jamal Cummings' RBI triple proved to be the winning hit as the Jaguars closed out the 5-4 win.

Cody Pugh (3-0) picked up the win in relief for the Jaguars, hurling one inning and giving up one hit and one run. Joey Stillwell pitched two shutout innings of one-hit relief for his fourth save of the season, walking one while striking out one. Senior Nathan Ward (2-1) took the loss for the Pirates, giving up two hits and one run in 3 1/3 innings of work, walking two while striking out four.

Juniors Mike Warren and Will Browning each had two hits for the Pirates in game one, while Jim Wagner's two hits led the Jaguars.

Game two saw the Pirates take a 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth inning on Goble's RBI single, but Augusta's Jake Boghosian cleared the bases with a three-run double in the bottom of the eighth to spark a six-run inning and come away with the 9-4 victory.

Casey Lenoch (2-1) got the win in relief of game two for the Jaguars, giving up two hits and one run in 1 2/3 innings of work, striking out two. Nick Andress (0-3) took the loss for the Pirates in relief, giving up two runs and one hit in 1 1/3 innings, walking three while striking out two.

Patterson, along with juniors Cal Young and Caleb Slaughter, each had two hits for the Pirates in game two, while Roberts and Cummings each had two hits for the Jaguars.

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Albany State plated four runs in the top of the 13th inning to take a 13-10 win over host Armstrong State University in collegiate baseball action on Tuesday at Pirate Field.

The Golden Rams improved to 6-18 on the year with the win, while Armstrong State falls to 14-15 overall, dropping its 12th game out of its last 13. The Pirates return to action on Saturday, visiting Francis Marion for a 5:00 p.m. Peach Belt Conference contest.

The Pirates built a 9-5 lead in the sixth inning, thank in large part to junior Chandler Corley, who had five hits in his first five at-bats, including pair of home runs and four RBI. 

Albany State scored a run in the seventh inning and two in the eighth to close the gap to one run. In the top of the ninth, Nic Griggs singled in Jameson Eichelberger with two outs to tie the game at 9-all and send it into extra innings.

In the top of the 13th, the Golden Rams broke through with four runs, two on RBI doubles from Quantico Dodson-Williams and Kelvin Wimbush, and two on an error to take a 13-9 lead. Zack Goble (PCHS 2015) homered to lead off the bottom of the 13th for the Pirates, and Armstrong State had the tying run at the plate with nobody out, but Chasen Roulhac entered the game from his shortstop position and pitched a scoreless inning to earn the save.

Gary Cannon (1-0) pitched 2/3rds of an inning and got the win, giving up one hit and one run. Caleb Woods (0-3) took the loss in relief, giving up six hits and five runs - three earned - in five innings of work, striking out five.

Corley finished the contest 5-for-8 with four RBI for the Pirates, while Caleb Slaughter had two hits and three RBI, including a two-run home run. Griggs and Robbie Feagans had three hits apiece for the Golden Rams.