How very fitting it was on Wednesday (March 20) afternoon at Tomassi Stadium and Donges Field at the Archer Ballpark Complex, that Ashland University head coach
John Schaly was on the winning side in his 2,000
th career game as a collegiate head baseball coach.
Game No. 2,000 ended in win No. 1,285 on Wednesday, as the No. 14-ranked Eagles moved to 13-2 following a 17-9 victory over Notre Dame College. Ashland is off to its best 15-game start in 22 years (also 13-2 in 2002).
"No, I didn't even consider that at all," said Schaly about getting to the milestone when his head-coaching career began in 1988 at Barry, and whose career record stands at 1,285-708-7 (.644). "We have guys injured, and other guys have stepped in and performed. Once we get those injured guys back, that will make us even better depth-wise.
"We've just got to keep getting better on a daily basis."
Wednesday's win was Ashland's second over NDC this season, following an 11-9 decision in Florida on March 4.
The start to 2024 has come on the heels of losing the last seven games of 2023.
"Every year's different. We're off to a good start," Schaly said. "But goal No. 1 is to win a conference championship. That all starts this weekend."
Notre Dame (4-13) got the scoring going early, plating four runs in the top of the first inning. The Eagles, however, responded with a seven-spot in the bottom of the first, highlighted by a two-run singles from sophomore right fielder
Chris Franks and graduate shortstop
Devin Hukill.
Ashland increased its lead to 8-4 in the bottom of the third thanks to a Falcon error on the front end of a double steal, then moved to 9-4 on another NDC error in the bottom of the fourth.
The Falcons scored a run in the top of the fifth, but the Eagles came roaring back with six runs in the bottom of the frame – with most of those coming via a two-run single from junior third baseman
Jeremiah Cangelosi, and two wild pitches.
Hukill's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh made it a 16-5 contest. Notre Dame scored four times in the top of the eighth, then Ashland closed its scoring with a Franks sac fly.
POST-GAME NUGGETS
- Hukill was 4-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored, and Franks 3-for-5 with four RBIs and three runs scored, to lead AU's 17-run, 17-hit attack. Junior center fielder Cam Miller was 3-for-3 with an RBI and crossed the plate twice.
- "It's been a lot of fun. We've got guys doing jobs," Hukill said. "Similar team to last year. We've got a lot of guys who have some experience here. It's going to be fun. We still had that bad taste in our mouth coming in. The way last year ended, it's still in the back of everyone's minds."
- Junior right-handed pitcher Austin Hamilton (2-0) saved the pitching staff with a strong 4 2/3 innings of relief for the victory. Hamilton struck out seven and allowed two hits, one run (unearned) and a walk.
UP NEXT
The start of Great Midwest Athletic Conference play on Friday (March 22) at 3 p.m. at home vs. Lake Erie (10-9, 2-2).
"We've seen what we've done against some good teams in our conference," Hukill said. "I think we're ready to go."
