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Ashland University's baseball team used a 14-run explosion in Innings 5-7 to take a 16-3 decision from Cedarville on Wednesday (April 26) afternoon at Donges Field.
The Eagles improved to 15-29 overall, while the Yellow Jackets fall to 15-24.
Wednesday's victory was Ashland's second over Cedarville in 2017, following a 10-2 win on the road on March 29. All-time against the Yellow Jackets, AU is 34-7.
The Eagles' 19 hits on Wednesday were a season high, and marks their third game in a row with double-digit hits.
Ashland ran out to a 2-0 lead with single runs in the bottom of the first and second innings. Junior right fielder Connor Barleben singled home freshman third baseman Carson Mittermeier in the first, then a Cedarville error plated freshman second baseman Kevin Browne in the second.
Following two runs in the third and one in the fifth for a 3-2 Cedarville lead, Ashland's offense came alive. The nine-run bottom of the fifth saw 13 batters come to the plate, as well as home runs by senior shortstop Brad Hartman (three-run), senior center fielder Carsten Dembeck (two-run) and freshman designated hitter Alex Laikos (solo).
Ashland added three runs in the sixth on a two-run triple by Browne and an RBI single from Dembeck, then two more runs in the seventh on sacrifice flies by freshman pinch-hitters Evan Lee and Kenton Mickley.
The beneficiary of all that run support was sophomore right-hander Ryan Curtis (1-0), who made his first collegiate start after 18 relief appearances. Curtis went the first seven innings, allowing seven hits, three runs and a walk and striking out six.
"It felt good. It was nice to finally get an opportunity to start," Curtis said. "Things went our way, so it was a good feeling. It's definitely nice when you get an eight-run lead. It's always good to get a win."
Browne was 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs, Dembeck was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and three RBIs, and freshman catcher Logan Stoldt, Barleben and junior first baseman Greg Ludwig each added two hits.
UP NEXT: The season-ending four-game set with Lake Erie – on the road at 1 p.m. on Saturday (April 29) and at home on Sunday (April 30) at 1 p.m.
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