Box Score: #17 Armstrong Atlantic 13, #6 Southern Indiana 2

SAVANNAH, Ga.. – The sixth-ranked University of Southern Indiana baseball team was unable to get a win in the first weekend of the season, losing the series finale to 17th-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University, 13-2, Sunday afternoon in Savannah, Georgia.

For the first time in the three game series, the Pirates jump out in front and never looked back. AASU (6-0) scored a pair of runs in the third and fourth innings and sealed the victory with a seven-run fifth to lead 11-0 before USI could get onto the scoreboard.

The Eagles (0-2)posted their first run of the game in the seventh inning when junior second baseman Kevin O'Hair (Scottsdale, Arizona) recorded his fourth RBI of the series by reaching base on a fielder's choice. Scoring on the play was sophomore pinch-runner Keith Mercer (Evansville, Indiana).

AASU responded to USI's tally with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh to make the score, 13-1. USI sophomore shortstop Wes Fink (Clarksville, Tennessee) concluded the scoring for both teams in the top of the eighth when he hit his first home run as a Screaming Eagles to give the game its 13-2 final score.

On the mound for the Eagles, junior left-hander Patrick Crider (Owensboro, Kentucky) took the loss. Crider worked four-plus innings and allowed six hits, seven runs (six earned), and walked two, while striking out three.

Crider was followed to the mound by junior right-hander Patrick Thomas (Jeffersonville, Indiana), who surrendered the final six AASU runs in 2.1 innings of work. Thomas allowed the six runs on eight hits and also struck out three.

USI junior right-hander Michael Dewig (Haubstadt, Indiana) and senior right-hander Aaron Schmidt (Evansville, Indiana) finished the game on the mound for USI.

The Eagles conclude the season opening six-game road trip next weekend (February 16-17) with a three-game series at Henderson State University. The home opener for USI is slated for February 22 when the Eagles start play in the Holiday Inn/USI Invitational at the USI Baseball Field.