Eagles Split Twinbill With Lewis In Florida

Mackenzie Hampshire takes a swing against Malone.
Mackenzie Hampshire takes a swing against Malone.

Ashland University's baseball team earned a rare historic split of a doubleheader on Sunday (March 1) in Auburndale, Fla.

The Eagles both won and lost by a 2-1 count on Sunday against Lewis, but the win in Game 1 was Ashland head coach John Schaly's 1,000th career victory. Schaly made college baseball history with that win, joining his father, Don, as they became the first father-son combination to each win at least 1,000 games at four-year institutions. Don Schaly won 1,438 games in 40 seasons (1964-2003) guiding Division III Marietta's baseball program.

"It's a great honor," Schaly said. "It's something that I'm proud of, to be connected with dad. I'm just lucky to be in a great situation and have a lot of dedicated players and loyal assistant coaches over the years."

In Game 1, junior Jake Baldwin pitched in his first game coming off injury, and allowed a run in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out eight and walked one. Junior Alex Smith picked up the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings thanks to a game-winning two-out RBI single by junior first baseman Mackenzie Hampshire after a single by sophomore Joey Gonzalez and a sacrifice by senior Austin Walts.

The nightcap saw junior Art Warren, also coming back off injury, allow a run in four innings. He allowed three hits and two walks while striking out seven. Sophomore Mitch Cox took the loss, allowing a run in three innings. Senior outfielder Kyle Brooks went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Ashland has given up just five runs in three games in Florida.

"All of our pitchers have thrown well," Schaly said. "The bats will come around. We're confident we'll be able to hit and score. We played good defense today. The big plus was seeing those two guys (Baldwin and Warren). They've really worked hard."

The Eagles (2-1) will play on Monday (March 2) at 11:15 a.m. in Auburndale against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Findlay, a game which does not count in the conference standings.

 
 

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