Box Score Ashland University's baseball team snapped its modest two-game losing streak in a big way on Tuesday (March 22) at Donges Field, topping Cedarville, 26-2, in a nine-inning non-conference affair.
"We played well in all phases," said Ashland head coach John Schaly. "Obviously, we swung the bats well, and from a lot of different people."
The Eagles' 26 runs and 24-run margin of victory are the most in the Schaly era. The 26 runs are tied for the third-most in program history in a single game, and the 24-run margin of victory is the third-highest for an Ashland baseball team.
Ashland (9-8) has scored 58 runs in its last three wins. It set the tone early on Tuesday with 10 runs in the bottom of the first inning.
The Eagles' 26-run, 20-hit attack was paced by a pair of youngsters. Freshman second baseman Cameron Nunn was 2-for-2 with a double, his first collegiate home run and four RBIs.
In just 12 at-bats this spring, Nunn has six hits and six RBIs.
"I'm just out there making the most out of every opportunity I have, playing to the best of my ability," Nunn said. "I knew I hit it (the home run) well. I didn't know if I had hit it out or not. We're swinging the bats now, seeing the ball."
Freshman right fielder Nic Varda, making his first college start, was 4-for-6 with five RBIs and three runs scored.
"We think he's going to be a really good player," Schaly said of Nunn. "And Varda got his first college start today, and had a good ball game. We think we've got some good freshmen."
Senior first baseman Mackenzie Hampshire, junior third baseman Lance Myers and senior center fielder Nick Edwards each had two hits, and senior shortstop Mike Lewandowski, Hampshire and redshirt freshman outfielder Ivan Wortman each drove in two runs.
On the mound, sophomore right-hander Pat Carlozzi moved to 2-0 with a strong five-inning start – four hits, one run, three walks and four strikeouts.
"When you've got a nine-run lead after the first inning, it makes it a lot easier to throw strikes and 'pitch to hit,'" he said.
"He threw pretty well," Schaly said. "And all the relievers, too. It was good for those guys to get some work and get ready for the weekend."
Senior lefty Matt Kruzel and junior righty Cory Teachout each threw a scoreless inning, while junior lefty Mike Gentile allowed a run in two frames.
Ashland is 32-7 all-time against the Yellow Jackets.
The Eagles will begin Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a four-game set at home against Ohio Dominican on Thursday (March 24) and Saturday (March 26).
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