The AU softball team had its back up against the wall. The Eagles were stuck to trouble better than any form of wallpaper can be hung.
In the first game of a GLIAC doubleheader against Northwood on Tuesday (Apr. 1) at Brookside Park, AU was trailing, 5-0 heading to the bottom of the fourth inning. This came a day after going 1-1 against Lake Superior State, a day when the AU pitching staff was roughed up for 12 runs in the opener with the Lakers.
Against the Timberwolves, the Eagles did an about face. They scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game and their pitching staff responded with three scoreless innings. Ashland scored once in the fifth and twice in the sixth for an 8-5 win.
The second game went to the 'Wolves, 9-6. Ashland is 13-8 and 2-2 in the GLIAC. Northwood is 12-8 and 3-1.
In that first game, the Timberwolves got to AU starter Amber McDermott for four runs on five hits in 2.2 innings. The Eagles got the junior off the hook with that five-run fourth that included an RBI single by Sarah Alley, a two-run homer by Jen Moore and a two-run double by Kayla Prokopakis.
In the fifth, the Eagles went ahead to stay on a two-out double to left field by outfielder Shelbie Prince. That two-bagger brought home Alley who had doubled and moved to third on a groundout to shortstop by Kourtney Yarnall.
The sixth inning saw the Eagles add a pair of insurance runs. With two outs, second baseman Cayla Seidler singled and center fielder Taylor Menhart followed with a base knock. Alley was next and she belted her second double of the game to bring in both runners. Alley was 3-for-3 with three RBI.
Alley pitched the final two innings to get her third save of the year. She didn't allow a run or hit. The win went to Brittany Flanigan who worked 2.1 scoreless innings. Flanigan is 2-2.
Ashland collected 11 hits off NU pitchers Vanessa Ewing and Maddison Sebald. Sebald (6-3) pitched the final 2.1 innings and took the loss.
In addition to Alley, Menhart went 3-for-4 and scored twice. Northwood designated player Lindsay Obremski was 2-for-4 and shortstop Stacey Klonowski was 2-for-3 with two RBI.
NU jumped out in front early in the second game and this time, the Eagles couldn't come all the way back. The Timberwolves scored six times in the third inning and led, 6-1 after three innings and 8-1 after four innings. Northwood piled up 11 hits, including six extra-base hits. First baseman Sam Zaborowski was 2-for-4 with a homer and five RBI. Third baseman Natalie Lampman was 2-for-3 with a double and a homer.
Casey Brown worked six innings for the win. She allowed six runs - all earned - on nine hits.
Seidler and Menhart both went 2-for-3 and each player doubled.
AU will play Findlay at Brookside Park on Friday (Apr. 4, 1 p.m.).
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