Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 The G-MAC baseball schedule has hit the home stretch. Only one more week remains after this weekend in the regular season.
The Ashland University baseball team used a time-tested formula on Saturday (April 25) to sweep a doubleheader at Northwood. Airtight pitching carried the Eagles to a 5-2 victory in Game 1 and a 5-1 decision in the nightcap.
Ashland is 30-14, 18-6 in the GMAC. AU is among the teams listed in this week's Midwest Regional Rankings. Northwood, the defending Midwest Regional Champion, is 18-25 and 14-12 in the GMAC. A year ago, the 'Wolves made their first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II World Series.
On Saturday, Eagle pitching limited the Timberwolves to three runs and 11 hits in 16 innings. Jackson Grine gave the Eagles seven splendid innings in the nine-inning first game before handing the game over to David Smith and Chase Carter. Grine (4-0) allowed two runs on five hits. Smith pitched 1.1 scoreless innings and Carter came on to get the final two outs and record the save.
The second game saw staff ace Drew Becker go the distance. Becker handcuffed the 'Wolves on five hits. He walked three and whiffed five. Becker threw 98 pitches and the seven-inning affair was completed in a nifty 1:53. Becker is 6-1.
Ashland collected 11 hits in the first game. Gage Weaver homered and Drew Stevens had an RBI single. Billy Howard drove in two runs in the sixth inning with double down the left-field line. That was the back breaker the sealed the victory.
Tyler Sager started and went 5.1 innings and took the loss. Second baseman Connor McCarten had three of Northwood's six hits.
The second game saw Stevens, Weaver and right fielder Sean Krueckenberg all go 3-4. Krueckenberg colleted a pair of RBI. The game was tied 1-1 after three innings. Ashland went ahead to stay, 2-1 in the top of the fourth on a Howard double that chased home Weaver. Stevens also had a double in the game. The Eagles finished the second game with 12 hits.
Connor Foley started and took the loss.
The Eagles and Timberwolves will play another doubleheader on Sunday (April 26)
