SAVANNAH, Ga. - Using a pair of early home runs, nationally fourth-ranked and host Armstrong Atlantic State University built an early lead and went on to post a 7-2 win past Anderson, as the Pirates claimed the 2013 NCAA Division II Softball Southeast Super Regional Saturday afternoon at the Armstrong Softball Field.

With the win, Armstrong (42-8-1) took the best two-of-three series, 2-0, and advances to the NCAA National Championship next week in Salem, Va., joining the other seven super regional winners in the NCAA Championship, which is scheduled to be held May 23-27. The Trojans' season ends with a stellar 40-15 record and the program's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Senior Shelby Duff gave Armstrong a quick one-run lead by leading off the game with a home run beyond the left-field fence, but AU junior hurler Lauren Bell settled down to retire the Pirates with a pair a strikeouts and a routine groundout to Bri Cason at third.

The Trojans threatened in the bottom of the inning, as junior Abby Child and freshman Molly Child drew back-to-back two-out walks in the bottom of the frame, but the Trojans were unable to capitalize, and AASU took advantage of a pair of fielder's choices and Duff's base-loaded two-out single up the middle off the glove of a diving Abby Child, boosted the Pirates' edge to 2-0 in the top of the second inning.

Armstrong's Mercer led off the third with a line drive to left center, but was robbed of a hit when Molly Child made a diving catch while moving to her right. AASU freshman Hannah Reppert followed with a single through the left side and with runners at first and third and two out, Rachel Reynolds singled up the middle to plate Reppert with the Pirates' third run, and freshman Haley Ellis added a three-run homer to give AASU a six-run cushion.

Junior Charlotte Sieber started the home half of the third inning by beating out an infield single to shortstop - AU's first hit of the contest - and Neidigh followed with a walk to put two runners on base with no outs. Danielle Swygert moved both runners into scoring position when she bounced out to the right side of the infield, but the Trojans were unable to push a run across the plate.

Sieber ripped her second hit of the game by leading off the fifth inning with a line drive up the middle off the pitcher Reynolds' glove. Swygert then drew a one-out walk and with runners at first and third, Abby Child bounced into a fielders' choice to bring Sieber home with AU's first run of the contest.

Ellis added a solo home run to lead off the Pirates' sixth inning, boosting AASU's lead to 7-1, while AU's Laura Jansky posted a lead-off single through the left side in the bottom of the frame. With pinch-runner Sarah Schmitz at first, Smith drew a walk and senior Megan Barnwell entered the circle in relief for the Pirates. With runners at first and second and one out, sophomore Rebecca Martin blooped a single into shallow right field to load the bases. Sieber scored Schmitz when she fouled out down the right-field line, pulling AU within 7-2 and Neidigh added a single over Patterson at third, but the Trojans left the bases loaded and neither team scored in the seventh.

Armstrong posted 11 hits on the afternoon, while notched five, with Sieber collecting two singles. Neidigh was 1-for-3 and added a walk, while Jansky and Martin each notched a single.

Bell (22-7) suffered the loss for the Trojans, surrendering six earned runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings of work. The right-hander struck out three and walked one. Junior Bailey Smith tossed 4 1/3 innings in relief and gave up one earned run, while striking out two.

Reynolds, a sophomore, earned the win after going five full innings. She gave up two earned runs and struck out one, while walking six.