The Ashland University baseball team opened the 2011 season Saturday (Mar. 5) in Florida by splitting a doubleheader with Minnesota State-Mankato. The Eagles won the first game, 2-0 and lost the nightcap, 4-3.
The Eagles didn't have the opportunity to ease into the season. Minnesota State-Mankato is ranked 10th in the country.
That ranking didn't rattle AU right-hander Ajay Meyer (Hamer, Ohio/Owens C.C.), who quieted the Mavericks with a three-hit shutout. Meyer missed all of last season due to knee surgery. He displayed the form that earned him the GLIAC and region pitcher of the year award two seasons ago. Meyer pitched a complete game and walked one and struck out six.
All the runs Meyer needed came in the fifth inning on a two-out, two-run single by pinch hitter Tyler Gray (Plain City, Ohio/Jonathan Alder). Gray, a freshman, was playing his first game for the Eagles.
AU's starter in the second game, sophomore righty Brad Thomas (Orrville, Ohio), probably deserved a better fate. Thomas, who did not pitch for the Eagles last season, went 5.1 innings and gave up four runs, one earned, on five hits. He walked two and had one strikeout. AU jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the game, but the Ashland defense couldn't hold up its end of the bargain. AU had seven errors on the day and six of those were throwing errors.
The Eagles had six hits. Senior outfielder Ryan Avery (Berea, Ohio/Cuyahoga C.C.) was 2-for-3 with a double.
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