The Ashland University baseball team overcame a 7-2 deficit to beat visiting Ohio Dominican, 8-7, on Tuesday (April 16) afternoon at Donges Field. The Eagles have now won their first 14 games at Donges Field this season.
Sophomore pinch-hitter Logan Moss poked a bases-loaded two-run single through the hole on the left side to tie the game at 7 in the bottom of the eighth.
The Eagles (28-7) walked it off in the ninth as they loaded the bases with one out before junior Jason Swope's sac fly.
Ashland, ranked No. 21 in the latest NCBWA poll, led the Panthers, 2-0, after the first inning on a two-run double to the gap by junior Carson Mittermaier.
Senior right-hander Ryan Curtis got the start for the Eagles and gave them three innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on five hits. Tim Zeller accounted for all those runs, hitting a solo homer in the second and a two-run homer in the third.
Ohio Dominican (21-17) added to its lead in the fourth on a two-run single by Noah Bland before making it 7-2 in the sixth on Michael Lang's two-run homer.
The Eagles cut into the deficit in the bottom of the sixth as sophomore Micah Allen doubled and Swope walked. A flyout moved both runners up for sophomore Austin Eifrid, who lined a two-run single to left field.
Junior left-hander Josh Smith kept the Panthers off the board in the seventh and he combined with senior righty Chris Slavik to pitch a scoreless eighth inning.
The Eagles loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth for Eifrid, who quickly fell behind 0-2 before taking four straight balls to make it 7-5. Moss followed as the pinch-hitter and hit a bouncer through the hole off the shortstop's glove, tying the game.
A double play ended the inning and left the game tied, but Slavik retired the Panthers in order in the ninth, including two strikeouts.
Senior Matt Littrell led off the ninth with a single, but a failed sac bunt registered the first out. Littrell then stole second and the Panthers intentionally passed Rogers. Both runners moved up on a passed ball, then ODU issued Allen an intentional pass to load the bases with one out.
That set up Swope, who hit a lined shot to deep left that easily scored Littrell with the game-winning run.
Slavik (9-1) extended his GLIAC lead in wins by tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief while striking out three.
The Eagles out-hit the Panthers, 12-10, led by Allen, who went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk and two runs. Eifrid, Mittermaier and Littrell had two hits apiece.
Danny Matic (3-1) was tagged with the loss in relief. ODU starter Logan Brewer turned in six innings and gave up four runs on nine hits with three walks and three strikeouts.
The Eagles improved to 35-28 all-time against Ohio Dominican with the win.
The Eagles are slated to resume GLIAC play on Thursday (April 18) against Grand Valley State at Donges Field. The four-game series will mark the final home games of the 2019 regular season. Stay tuned to @goashlandeagles on Twitter and GoAshlandEagles.com for any adjustments on game times for the weekend.
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