The Ashland University baseball team lost at Bellarmine Monday (Mar. 21), 9-7. This was the final game of a two-game series and was AU's final game before opening GLIAC play this coming Saturday (Mar. 26, 1 p.m.) against Northwood.
The Eagles pounded out 13 hits, but couldn't slow down red-hot Bellarmine. The Knights scored six runs in the fourth inning and three in the fifth. The loss went to AU right-hander Brad Thomas (Orrville, Ohio). Thomas started and went 3.2 innings. He allowed six runs, all earned, on seven hits. Thomas walked one and struck out three.
Eric Vaughan (Delta, Ohio/Owens C.C.) relieved Thomas and allowed three runs on six hits in 2.1 innings. Only Andrew Pinkleman (Delta, Ohio/Evergreen) was able to control Bellarmine. He worked two innings and did not allow a run or a hit.
Catcher Adam Murphy (West Carrollton, Ohio) went 3-for-4 with a double. Outfielder Ryan Avery (Berea, Ohio/Cuyahoga C.C.) was 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Shortstop Matt Gundlach (Monroeville, Ohio/Sandusky Perkins), infielder Austin Erb (Strasburg, Ohio/Hanover) and outfielders Evan Melendez (Amherst, Ohio/Steele) and Ethan Houck (Fort Wayne, Ind./Glen Oaks C.C.) all had two hits each.
