AU Softball Splits To Open UC Invitational

Playing for the first time in nearly three weeks on Friday (Feb. 27), Ashland University softball's return to the diamond resulted in a split on Day 1 of the University of Charleston Invitational.
 
The Eagles (2-4) topped West Liberty, 4-1, after losing by the same score to the host Golden Eagles.
 
In the game against the host, Charleston jumped on top with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Golden Eagles then tacked on another run in the third, but Ashland got on the board in the top of the five on a two-out error to get back to within two runs at 3-1.
 
Charleston came back in the fifth and scored once to restore its three-run advantage – and give the game its final margin.
 
In Friday's opener, senior center fielder Ashley Veldheer had Ashland's only two hits, going 2-for-3. Redshirt freshman pitcher Olivia Amstutz gave up just five hits in the complete game, allowing four runs (two earned) and three walks and striking out three.
 
Against the Hilltoppers, it was the Eagles who took the early lead – scoring twice in the bottom of the first on consecutive RBIs from senior designated player Cassidy Shaffer (ground out) and junior right fielder Kate Kujawski (fielder's choice).
 
West Liberty scored once in the top of the second, but a rare 5-4-2 double play kept the damage from being worse. The Eagles then scored twice more in the fourth when senior second baseman Danielle Robbins brought in two with a two-out single.
 
Junior catcher Sophia Martin and Robbins each had two hits, and senior pitcher Delaney Lis (1-1) twirled a complete-game four-hitter, striking out three and allowing a walk and a run.
 
COMING UP
Concluding the UC Invitational on Saturday (Feb. 28) at 10 a.m. vs. Charleston and 12:30 p.m. against West Liberty.