SAVANNAH, Ga. – Brad Bridgeman's RBI double in the second inning provided plenty of run support for seven innings of shutout ball by right hander Brian Willis as 12th-ranked UNCP captured its first league road series victory of the season with a 4-0 shutout of No. 11 Armstrong Atlantic on Monday afternoon.

The triumph marked the fourth PBC series win of the season for UNCP (28-7, 10-7 PBC) who has now won four of its last five outings. The setback marked just the second time this season, and the first since early February, that Armstrong Atlantic (25-8, 9-3) has dropped consecutive home outings.

The Braves got nine of its 12 hits on the day from the last five hitters in their batting order, including a 3-for-4 day at the plate from newcomer J.J. Williams. Kenny Mickens and Bridgeman, the seventh and eighth hitters in the order, both booked 2-for-4 hitting lines. Leadoff hitter Aaron Parnell singled once and walked twice on a 1-for-2 plate performance as well.

Leadoff hitter Alex Frederick provided two of the five hits on the day for the Pirates who got just one hit from the last six players in their batting order.

Willis (4-2) struck out six and scattered four hits over seven innings of work to register his fourth win in as many appearances since leaping into the starting rotation in mid-March. AASU starter Scott Strickland (5-1) yielded four earned runs on 12 hits and a quartet of walks in eight innings from the hill en route to snaring his first loss of the season for the hosts.

The Braves got something going in the second via consecutive one-out singles from Josh Haley and Mickens, and then took a lead they would not relinquish moments later on Bridgeman's two-bagger to left field. Strickland's wild pitch moments later would bring Mickens scurrying home from third base with the 2-0 lead. Joe Mangum's sacrifice fly in the fourth provided an insurance run, as did a RBI single by Mickens in the fifth.

Willis mowed down each of the first six batters he faced in the outing, escaped jams in both the fourth and fifth innings, and then retired each of the three batters he faced in the sixth and seventh frames. AASU had its best chance to score after loading the bases with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, but Willis induced an inning-ending grounder to third to slam the door on the threat. The Pirates got a pair of runners into scoring position with two outs in the fifth as well, but Willis came away the hero again, this time freezing John Roberts on a called strike three.

UNCP will open up a six-game home stand on Wednesday when the Braves suit up to battle region rival Barton (12-23) in a 6 p.m. contest at Sammy Cox Field. Admission prices are $5 for adults and $2 for children 18 years of age and younger. UNCP students are admitted free with a valid Braves Card.