Pirates Ground Flying Fleet, 12-0, In Home Finale

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Senior Kenny Cail went 4-for-4 with four RBIs and sophomore Blake Culberson hurled seven innings of three-hit shutout ball as the Armstrong Atlantic State baseball squad wrapped up its home regular season slate with a 12-0 victory over Erskine on Tuesday afternoon at Pirate Field.

The Pirates (35-17) collected a season-high 17 hits in winning their eighth game out of their last nine contests, while Erskine (35-17) suffered its sixth straight loss.

Armstrong Atlantic jumped on Erskine starter Erick Guest (2-1) early, plating four runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by a two-run double by John Roberts. Cail added a run in the second on an RBI single, then put the Pirates up by seven with a two-RBI double in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Meanwhile, Culberson (6-2) held the Flying Fleet bats in check, limiting Erskine to just three hits over seven innings, his longest outing of the season. Culberson struck out five and walked one in picking up the victory.

Guest gave up seven hits and six runs in three-plus innings of work, walking two, to take the loss for Erskine. 

Josh Wilson went 3-for-4 with four runs scored and Justin Harris collected his fourth straight multi-hit game with three hits on the day to help pace the Pirates. Kevin Hill led the Flying Fleet with two hits.

Tuesday was the final home game for four Pirate seniors - Cail, shortstop Juan Dorado and pitchers Cody Walden and Jeff Chase. Dorado collected his 34th sacrifice hit of the season on Tuesday, tying him with Ben Orloff of UC Irvine for the single-season NCAA sacrifice hit record in all divisions.

The Pirates return to action on Friday, May 1, with a 7:00 p.m. Peach Belt Conference matchup at Lander in Greenwood, S.C.