A steady barrage of hits and runs were the keys to a pair of SCAC Conference wins on Saturday afternoon for the Pirates. SU defeated Austin College 5-2 and 6-3 to increase their lead over the 'Roos in the conference race.

The bats got hot early in game one with an opening double by shortstop Charlie Garrett who later scored to take the lead 1-0 in the bottom of the first. Austin College quickly tied the game, however, with an RBI in the top of the second.

A no out, bases loaded RBI single by thirdbaseman Zac Cleveland brought in a run to take the lead and Garrett and secondbaseman Chris Lowry added to it, bringing the game to a 4-1 count at the end of two.

After a quiet third and a strong defensive fourth the Pirates got back to work offensively. A leadoff double by rightfielder Patrick Keenan who was brought around to score later in the inning allowed the Pirates to strengthen their lead, 5-1, after four complete.

Austin College was able to sneak one run on the board in the fifth, but it was smooth sailing the rest of the way as starting pitcher Chris Churchwell finished the game out for a complete game win, allowing only two runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out four.

Cruz Luna led the way at the plate for SU, going 2-2 with one run scored.

Game two was no different for the Pirates as they started strong, scoring one run in each of the first three innings before Austin College joined in. The 'Roos posted one on the board in the fourth but Southwestern answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a strong 6-1 lead.

Both teams settled down and after a scoreless fifth through eighth innings Austin College attempted a last ditch comeback in the ninth. A couple of Pirates errors in the ninth allowed AC to push two across the plate, but Jason Stading came in relief to get the final out of the inning.

Matt Stuart (pictured) earned his second win of the season after 7.2 strong innings of work, scattering 10 hits and allowing just one run with two walks and six strikeouts.

Offensively, Lance Gottardy and Cray Betts had three hits each in game two while Johnny Gavrel drove in three RBI's.

Today's double-header was part of ALS Awareness Day sponsosred by the Phi Delta Omega fraternity on Southwestern's Campus. The fundraiser was made possible by the generous donations from the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Texas Stars, Round Rock Express, Cianfrani Coffee Company, City Lights Theatre, Ester's Follies, Quenan's, Sweet Seredipity, Novita Spa and Paper Trends.

The wins improve Southwestern to 15-12 on the year, 6-6 in the SCAC while Austin College drops to 5-18 overall and 2-12 in conference action.

The two teams faceoff once again on Sunday for the final game of the series. Game time is set for 1:00 pm.