Ashland Picks Up First Win In High-Scoring Affair

Ashland Picks Up First Win In High-Scoring Affair

The bats came alive for Ashland University baseball on Saturday (March 3), as it won its first game of the season, 18-12, over Mary to begin its trip in Winter Haven, Fla.

AU (1-2) erased an early 3-0 deficit by plating five in the bottom of the first inning. The Eagles never looked back, scoring nine in the sixth to take an 18-5 lead over the Marauders (0-4).

Eagle freshman Micah Allen led the way, going 4-for-4 with a walk, five RBIs and three runs scored.

Sophomore Vince Vanata, junior Sam Hawley and as seniors Greg Ludwig and Connor Barleben added two hits apiece for AU. Barleben hit the team's first homer of the 2018 campaign.

Junior Sam Rice picked up the victory on the mound for Ashland with the best relief appearance of the bunch. He retired the side in the fifth frame, his lone inning of work.

Junior Matt Littrell continued his hot start to the season, going 1-for-3 while scoring all three times he reached base. He's now batting and slugging .600 with a .714 on-base percentage and a team-leading seven runs scored and three stolen bases.

Mary outhit Ashland, 15-14, but left nine runners on base, compared to AU's seven.

The 18 runs are the most Ashland has posted in a single contest since defeating Walsh 19-13 on April 1 last season.

AU's next game is at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday (March 4) against Lewis.

 

 

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