The Ashland University baseball team lost both ends of a doubleheader, 7-4 and 5-3, to host Gannon on Sunday (March 18) afternoon in Erie, Pa.
The Eagles (8-5) had the early lead in both games, but the Golden Knights (10-6) were able to sweep the twinbill with solid pitching.
Senior Connor Barleben opened the scoring of Game 1 with a solo home run to right field. He is now tied for the team lead with three homers.
AU doubled its lead in the third inning on junior Matt Littrell's RBI single to right field. The Eagles went on to load the bases in the inning, but a double play stalled the threat.
Gannon took its first lead of the day with three runs in the third, the last two with the help of an Ashland defensive miscue.
Freshman Micah Allen's second homer of the season cut the margin to 6-3 in the sixth inning, but the Knights got the run back in the bottom half. Doubles by sophomore Vince Vanata and senior Greg Ludwig gave the Eagles another run in the seventh, but GU starter Jarod Morrison (2-1) got a fly out to end the game.
Junior right-hander Devin Peters took the loss (1-3), giving up six runs (four earned) on five hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out three.
Barleben was the only AU player with multiple hits as the Eagles out-hit the Golden Knights, 7-6.
Sophomore Kevin Browne started Game 2 like Ashland started the first game – with a solo home run, his first of the season to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead in the second.
The Golden Knights scored three runs in the third off sophomore right-hander Chance Hitchcock to take a 3-1 lead.
In the fifth, freshman Austin Eifrid and Littrell each singled before Allen's two-run double tied the game at 3.
In the bottom half, Elijah Quiceno homered to start the inning to give Gannon a 4-3 lead before a triple and single made it 5-3. The Eagles stranded two runners in the sixth and Littrell led off the seventh with a single, but the Deven Judy escaped with his third save of the season.
Freshman Josh Stover took the loss, surrendering two runs on five hits in three relief innings. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. David Cricks (2-0) earned the win for Gannon with five innings and three runs allowed.
Littrell reached base three times for the Eagles, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
The Eagles will travel to Walsh on Tuesday (March 20) for a 3 p.m. first pitch against the Cavaliers in North Canton, Ohio.
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