It's early in the 2024 season, but one thing is becoming clear about Ashland University's softball team – its games won't be boring.
On the first day of the Blue Bridge Battle on Friday (Feb. 23) in Evansville, Ind., the Eagles rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh inning to defeat McKendree, 6-5, then scored three in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings vs. Notre Dame College – only to lose 9-5 in eight innings.
Ashland is 3-2 through five games so far in 2024, with four of those decided by one or two runs, and three finishing in eight frames.
The victory over the Bearcats came against the team which topped AU 3-2 in eight innings in the first game of the new campaign. In the top of the seventh, senior catcher
Jordyn Severns hit an RBI single, and freshman third baseman
Sophia Martin's two-run single ended up being the game-winner.
POST-GAME NUGGETS
- Against McKendree, sophomore pitcher Mady Hannahs got the save with a scoreless seventh inning, giving junior pitcher Cassidy Shaffer (1-1) the victory after she struck out four and walked one over six innings.
- Sophomore second baseman Danielle Robbins and freshman left fielder Delaney Maynard each had two of AU's nine hits.
- Versus NDC, Maynard went 3-for-4 with an RBI, and freshman catcher Delaney Keith was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Junior first baseman Lily Rockwell and sophomore center fielder Ashley Veldheer each drove in two runs.
UP NEXT
The second and final day of the Blue Bridge Battle on Saturday (Feb. 24) against Illinois Springfield at 11 a.m. and Drury at 1 p.m.
