SAVANNAH, Ga. – The top-ranked University of Southern Indiana baseball team gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth to lose the rubber game at Armstrong Atlantic State University, 3-2, Sunday afternoon in Savannah, Georgia. USI falls to 1-2 to start 2011, while AASU goes to 3-2.

After allowing a first inning run, the Screaming Eagles came back to knot the game up at 1-1 in the second when junior shortstop Brad Vance (Louisville, Kentucky) scored all the way from first on a two-out double by freshman outfielder Brad Wannemuehler (Evansville, Indiana). The score would remain tied until the Pirates regained the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the sixth.

USI senior leftfielder Michael Huling (South Bend, Indiana) evened the score at 2-2 after crossing the plate on a pass ball in the ninth. Huling, who was the only Eagle with multiple hits today, started the inning with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice, and had advanced to third on a ground out before scoring.

AASU, however, responded with the winning tally in the bottom of the ninth. Sophomore second baseman Mike Barnhill touched home with the winning run when senior centerfielder Michael Price doubled off of USI senior right-hander Dan Marcacci (Jupiter, Florida).

Marcacci (0-1), who got the final two outs in the eighth before taking the loss in the ninth, allowed the one run on two hits.

USI junior right-hander Josh Schultze (Evansville, Indiana) started for the Eagles and went the first six innings. Schultze allowed four hits and two runs in his first start of the year, while walking four and striking out one.

The Eagles also got a scoreless 1.1 innings of work from junior right-hander Silas Dill (Bernie, Missouri). Dill allowed one hit and one walk in his debut with the Eagles.

USI concludes the season-opening road swing next week when it travels to Russellville, Arkansas to play Fort Hays State University February 19 in a neutral site game and visit Arkansas Tech University February 20.