Eagles Lose Twice To Panthers To Start Last Regular-Season Week

Playing the only Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference games of the day, Ashland University's softball team lost both ends of Thursday's (May 6) home doubleheader to Davenport, 6-1 and 8-0 in six innings.
 
The Eagles go into their last four contests of the regular season at 13-25 overall and 10-18 in the GLIAC, while the Panthers are 22-21, 18-13.
 
Davenport struck first in the opener, scoring four times in the top of the second inning, then the Panthers added two more in the top of the third for a 6-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, the Eagles got on the scoreboard thanks to a two-out RBI single from sophomore left fielder Kaitlyn Carney. Ashland couldn't get any closer, getting just four hits – two each from Carney and senior second baseman Emma Lawson.
 
Freshman pitcher Jillian Middleton (4-11) allowed nine hits, five runs and a walk and struck out five in the complete-game loss.
 
In Game 2, the Panthers went ahead in the top of the second again, putting up a three-spot, then once again scored in the top of the third to take a 4-0 lead. Davenport added four runs in the top of the sixth, providing the final margin of victory.
 
Sophomore pitcher Josie Duncan (4-9) yielded 11 hits, eight runs and a walk and struck out three in six innings. Lawson and Carney had the only hits for the Eagles in the nightcap.
 
Ashland's next home doubleheader won't be at home – Friday (May 7) at noon vs. Purdue Northwest (11-23, 8-15) at Sandusky's Sports Force Parks.