FINDLAY, Ohio – Ashland University's softball team had an up-and-down day on Friday (May 1) to begin the 2015 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament, winning 6-4 against Findlay and losing 9-0 in six innings to Hillsdale at Marathon Diamonds.
The Eagles (37-7) go into the consolation bracket to begin play on Saturday (May 2), and will face Grand Valley State in an elimination game at 10 a.m.
In the first game against the Oilers, the Eagles were paced by senior pitcher – and, for the first time in a long time, hitter – Amber McDermott.
McDermott threw four scoreless innings of relief to improve to 12-2, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out one. She also was 1-for-1 with a walk and a run scored in her only other collegiate plate appearances besides the six McDermott had as a sophomore.
Sophomore second baseman Kalene Freshour was 2-for-2 with two runs scored, and senior designated player Jerrica Young drove in two runs on a first-inning triple. The Eagles took the lead for good with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth when both Freshour and McDermott scored on an Oilers error.
The winners' bracket semifinal game against the Chargers was a struggle from the outset, as Hillsdale scored three runs in the top of the first inning and didn't look back.
Freshour had a double amongst AU's four hits.
AU
SB/DS