An inside-the-park home run spotlighted Tuesday's ballgame.
But unfortunately, it wasn't enough to close out the win.
On Tuesday, March 31, the Ashland University softball team played host to the Cedarville Yellow Jackets for a two-game set from the Deb Miller Field at the Archer Ballpark Complex. The Eagles weren't able to win game one in comeback fashion, as Cedarville pulled away late, 9-8, before Ashland stole the momentum back in game two, winning,6-5.
The Eagles' split results on Tuesday push their overall record to 18-11 on the campaign and 7-2 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference play.
In game one, the Eagles fell behind quickly, trailing into the middle innings.
However, practically out of the blue, Ashland brought the game back with an excellent fifth inning of play. Trailing 6-1, Ashland chipped away with three runs in the inning, highlighted by RBI hits from Danielle Robbins, Cassidy Shaffer and Kate Kujawski.
The momentum carried into the sixth, when Robbins delivered an RBI double before Amanda Kolar capped the rally with a three-run, inside-the-park home run to give Ashland its first lead at 8-6.
Unfortunately, Ashland wasn't able to hold onto the lead in the seventh inning, as defensive miscues and errors allowed three unearned runs to cross the board. Cedarville would take game one, 9-8.
With momentum riding high off a close-knit win, the Yellow Jackets marched into game two and instantly took control.
They scored the opening run in the top of the first, giving them a 1-0 edge.
Ashland would respond, though, knotting the game up in the bottom half of the inning off the back of a couple of knocks at the plate.
Cedarville was able to jump back ahead quickly, with a four-run second inning capped by a three-run home run from Anna Gorshak that gave them a 5-1 lead.
The Eagles then chipped away steadily.
Amanda Kolar drove in a run with a double in the third inning to make it 5-2 before the Eagles delivered a three-run fifth inning.
Kate Kujawski brought home a run with a sacrifice fly, and Ashland capitalized on a wild pitch and a Cedarville error to tie the game at 5-5.
Danielle Robbins, who led the Eagles with four hits and three runs scored, set the stage in the seventh inning with a leadoff single and a stolen base.
After advancing to third, Kujawski delivered the game-winning hit, a single that scored Robbins and completed the comeback.
Olivia Amstutz earned the win for Ashland, going the distance while allowing five runs on 10 hits with six strikeouts.
The Eagles will next look to take on the Thomas More Saints in a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m. EST on Friday, April 3, from Crestville Hills, Ky.Â
