The Ashland University baseball team scored five runs in its final two at-bats and defeated Walsh in in-region action, 8-4, on Tuesday (March 19) afternoon at Donges Field.
Senior Matt Littrell delivered a go-ahead two-run single in the seventh and sophomore Logan Stoldt followed with a two-run homer to left to give the Eagles a 7-4 lead.
Senior right-hander Chris Slavik, who came on in the seventh, struck out the side in his third inning of work in the ninth to preserve the win. Slavik (3-0) earned the victory with three scoreless innings, striking out six and giving up just one hit and one walk.
The Eagles (14-3), winners of five straight, got off to a slow start offensively as Nik Barkdull retired the first nine hitters he faced as the Cavaliers (7-10) got out to a 2-0 lead.
Sophomore Austin Eifrid ended that stretch with a triple to center field to lead off the fourth and scored on an RBI groundout by senior Sam Hawley.
In the fifth, junior Michael Rogers hit a bases-loaded single through the hole to tie the game at 2 before Eifrid's sac fly gave the Eagles a 3-2 lead.
Walsh answered right back in the sixth with a pair of runs on three hits, regaining the lead at 4-3.
After Slavik blanked the Cavaliers in the seventh, Rogers started the seventh with a double. Then with two outs, junior Carson Mittermaier drew a walk and went to second on a wild pitch. Littrell followed with his go-ahead single before Stoldt's homer added some insurance.
Hawley's squeeze bunt in the eighth pushed the Eagles' lead to 8-4.
Sophomore right-hander Josh Stover did not factor in the decision, but scattered seven hits and three walks over five innings. He gave up two runs and struck out three.
Sophomore Dillan Smith and Rogers each had three hits on the day, including a double apiece.
Anthony Krokos (2-1) was charged with the loss for the Cavaliers.
The Eagles will continue their 13-game homestand this weekend as they open a four-game set with GLIAC foe Parkside at 3 p.m. Friday (March 22) at Donges Field.
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