Nine-Run Seventh In Game One Propels Eagles To DH Sweep

Thanks to a nine-run top of the seventh inning in the opener of Sunday's (March 20) doubleheader at Hillsdale, Ashland University's baseball team swept both games against the Chargers, 14-12 and 4-3.
 
The Eagles improve to 9-5 overall and 2-0 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference after their first two contests in the new league, and Hillsdale goes to 8-12, 2-4.
 
WHAT HAPPENED

• Trailing 9-5 going into the seventh inning of Sunday's opener, the Eagles exploded in the top of the frame to go up and eventually win. The big blow came on an two-run single from catcher Brady Cottom, AU's graduate assistant coach who was brought on to the roster this past week, and the go-ahead run came on an RBI single from senior designated hitter Alex Whipple.
• Cottom's first game as an Eagle resulted in a 3-for-5 day with a home run, two runs scored and four RBIs. Whipple (3-for-4) and senior left fielder Seth Schroeder (3-for-3) also each had three of Ashland's 17 hits, and senior center fielder Sebastian Fabik had a homer and two RBIs.
• Sophomore right-hander Clayton Cochran earned his first win of 2022 with 2 2/3 innings of relief. Senior righty Perry Bewley nailed down his second save of the spring with two scoreless innings and two strikeouts.
• In the second game, Ashland scored three times in the top of the fourth, then added a key insurance run in the top of the seventh. Senior righty Jacob Harsany (2-1) pitched a strong game for the Eagles, allowing five hits, three runs (two earned) and three walks and striking out six in 6 1/3 frames. Bewley got the last two outs for his second save of the day and third of the season.
• Freshman second baseman Ian Sanders (2-for-4) and senior right fielder Dillan Smith (2-for-3) each had two of the Eagles' six hits in the nightcap.

 
UP NEXT
Ashland and Hillsdale will play another doubleheader in Michigan on Monday (March 20) at noon.