The Ashland University baseball team concentrated on the little things Saturday (Apr. 12) at Northwood. That added up in a big way for the Eagles.
AU lashed out 13 hits against a quartet of Northwood pitchers in winning the first game of a three-game weekend series, 10-3. Saturday's second game was suspended in the bottom of the sixth inning with the Timberwolves ahead, 8-1. That game will be completed on Sunday prior to the start of a nine-inning game between the teams.
In Saturday's win, AU collected just one extra-base knock, a two-run triple by third baseman Wade Kaido. But the Eagles kept rapping out base hits and scored three runs in the second inning and five in the third to put the 'Wolves (11-18/3-12 GLIAC) in an early hole.
AU was flawless in the field - the Eagles didn't commit an error. Ashland has won four of its last five games and is 17-12, 7-7 in the GLIAC. This was the second straight game the Eagles exploded for 10 runs. It's the third time in the last four games they reached double digits in runs.
Shortstop Austin Walts went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. Designated hitter Kyle Brooks was 3-for-4. Kaido was 1-for-5 with three RBI and outfielder Mackenzie Hampshire went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs. Catcher Adam Vasil was 1-for-3 and had two RBI.
Right-hander Vince Frate didn't let that offensive support go to waste. He pitched his team-high fourth complete game of the season. Frate allowed five hits. He walked two and struck out two. The junior is 7-2. Frate is the club leader in victories.
Alex Lewandowsk (2-1) took the loss. The Eagles got to him for seven runs on eight hits in 2.1 innings.
Shortstop Tyler Beatty and center fielder Justin Zvon both went 2-for-3 for the Timberwolves.
The victory gives AU head coach John Schaly 991 wins for his career.
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