Box Score SAVANNAH, Ga.--A potent Pirate attack erupted early, pounding out 18 hits, as 29th-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State (34-18, 14-13 PBC) posted a 12-2 win over #27 USC Aiken (35-20, 15-15 PBC) on Sunday afternoon at Pirate Field. AASU takes the Peach Belt Conference series with the rubber game victory, insuring the Pacers will need a run in the 2007 PBC Tournament if they hope to make the program's third-straight NCAA Tournament.

The two teams entered the weekend ranked in the top seven in the latest NCAA South Atlantic Region poll. After two mid-week non-conference wins over Pfeiffer, the seventh-ranked Pacers looked to make up ground on the fifth-ranked Pirates. With the series win, however, AASU will have the upper hand. 

With runners at second and third and one out in the first inning, Kenny Cail singled through the right side off Pacer starter Jon Paul as Armstrong Atlantic State grabbed the early 2-0 lead. 

Josh Wilson doubled to left center in the second inning, plating two as part of a three-run second frame. The Pirates would go on to score two in the third and three more in the fourth to stake a 10-0 advantage heading into the fifth inning. 

Wilson finished with a 4-for-5 day with three RBI and one run scored. Tyler Evans added a 4-for-5 game and Truman Marek was 3-for-6 as the top three Pirate hitters combined for seven RBI, five runs scored, and 11-for-16 at the plate. 

After Zach Cooper led off the fifth inning with a single through the left side of the infield, Darryl Pui singled in the senior center fielder with the Pacers' first run. Pui finished 3-for-4 while Ken Raborn was a perfect 3-for-3. 

Trailing 12-1 in the eighth, Marc Joehnk drew a bases loaded walk to make it 12-2, but with two outs, pinch hitter Nick Ogurchak grounded out to end the threat. USC Aiken stranded 11 runners on bases. 

In his record setting 41st start, senior Jon Paul (6-7) suffered his fifth loss in his last six decisions, allowing seven earned runs on nine hits and three walks in 2.1 innings. A four-year member of the Pacers program, Paul will leave USCA as the school's all-time wins leader. 

Ross Partee (6-4) kept USC Aiken off balance all afternoon, surrendering just one unearned run on six hits and two walks, striking out two in 6.0 innings. Jeff Chase (2) tossed the final 3.0 innings for the save. 

Opening the season 11-1 in conference play and sitting atop the PBC standings, USC Aiken closed a disappointing 4-14. The Pacers, however, did earn a spot in the 2007 PBC Tournament held May 10-13 at Spartanburg, S.C. and hosted by USC Upstate. The Pacers will either be the fifth or sixth seed in the six-team, double elimination tournament. 

#27 USC Aiken.......000 010 010 - 2 9 1
#29 AASU................232 301 10x - 12 18 1

E - Joehnk(16); Dallas. DP - Pacers 3; Pirates 2. LOB - Pacers 11; Pirates 10. 2B - Jacobsen(23); Evans; Wilson 2; Dallas. HBP - Pui; Eachues; Noble; Dallas. SH - E. Hudson. CS - Pui(6).