Softball Goes 1-1 On Day 2 Of UC Invitational

For the second straight day, Ashland University's softball team went 1-1 at the University of Charleston Invitational.
 
On Saturday, the Eagles (3-5) topped the host Golden Eagles by a 4-0 count, then lost 5-4 in eight innings to West Liberty.
 
Ashland opened the scoring against the host in the top of the third inning, posting three runs on RBIs from senior second baseman Danielle Robbins (bunt single), senior designated player Cassidy Shaffer (ground out) and junior right fielder Kate Kujawski (sacrifice fly).
 
Shaffer provided the insurance run in the seventh on a two-out RBI double.
 
Senior pitcher Delaney Lis (2-1) authored a complete-game four-hit shutout, striking out two and walking one. And the top of the AU lineup did most of the damage – leadoff hitter and junior catcher Sophia Martin going 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two walks, Robbins getting on base twice with an RBI and a run scored, and Shaffer driving in two runs.
 
Against West Liberty, the Hilltoppers scored first with two runs in the bottom of the second. Ashland's response came in the top of the third, when junior center fielder Delaney Maynard delivered a two-out two-run single to tie the score at 2.
 
Freshman Raelyn Koesters then broke the tie in a pinch-hit role in the fourth, driving in two runs with a single, but West Liberty scored two of their own in the fifth for another tie score at 4 – then plated the game-winner in the bottom of the eighth.
 
Lis (2-2) took the relief loss, pitching the last three innings and allowing one run (unearned), two hits and a walk. Maynard was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Kujawski went 2-for-4.
 
COMING UP
The start of the annual Florida spring break trip on March 8 at 10:30 a.m. vs. Sioux Falls and at 12:45 p.m. against Wayne State (Neb).