SAVANNAH - The No. 22-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University softball team opened up the 2011 season successfully by notching a doubleheader sweep of visiting Georgia Southwestern, 8-0 and 4-2, on Saturday at the Armstrong Softball Field.

The Lady Pirates (2-0, 2-0 PBC) won game one in six innings over the Lady Hurricanes (2-6, 0-2 PBC), then used a three-run fourth inning to come away with the 4-2 win in game two.

GSW starter Jessica Martin (1-1) took the loss in game one, giving up six hits and seven runs - five earned - in five innings, walking six and striking out one.

Megan Barnwell (1-0) hurled a four-hit shutout in game one, walking two and striking out eight, to notch the victory for the Pirates.

Nichole Griffin finished 2-for-2 to lead GSW at the plate.

Baillie Temples went 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs for Armstrong, while April Jowers went 3-for-4 with three runs scored.

In game two, the Pirates' Shelby Duff (1-0) cranked a solo home run and limited the Lady Hurricanes to six hits and two unearned runs, walking three and striking out three, in the 4-2 win to claim the sweep.

Heather Walker drove in a pair of runs with a pinch-hit double in the three-run fourth inning.

Mason Moreland and Gabby Buck collected two hits apiece for the Lady Hurricanes.  

GSW starter Christie Shankle (0-2) gave up four hits and four runs - two earned - in four innings of work to take the loss, walking one and striking out one.

Southwestern travels to Albany State on Monday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.