The Ashland University Eagles and Indianapolis Greyhounds began their 2015 NCAA split Midwest Regional game by trading out for out through the first three innings on Saturday (May 9).
However, a Greyhound three-run fourth and four-run fifth did in the Eagles, ending in a 7-3 defeat.
Indianapolis, the No. 2 seed and host of the split regional tournament, improved its record to 44-12 with the win. The loss sends the third-seeded Eagles to 39-9. Ashland will play the winner of the Trevecca Nazarene and Truman State game in the double-elimination style tournament at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
The winner of that game will face Indianapolis Sunday (May 10) at noon.
The Greyhounds' three-run fourth began when designated hitter Taylor Russell lined a one-out single off the right-center wall. First baseman Natalie Lalich followed with another single to put two on for Indianapolis. Two batters later, right fielder Jessie Noone knocked a two-RBI double of the left-field wall. Noone advanced to third on the throw home, then scored on an error to the shortstop on the next play for a 3-0 lead.
The Eagles responded by getting a run in the top of the fifth after junior shortstop Shelbie Prince reached on an error by the second baseman. She moved around the bases and was knocked in by sophomore left fielder Ally Farrah with a two-out infield single.
Indy extended its lead in bottom of the fifth with a four-run inning that was capped off by a two-run home run over the centerfield fence by catcher Jenny Thompson.
AU tried to mount a comeback in the sixth after the Greyhounds walked three batters and committed a defensive miscue. The Eagles scored one run, but left three runners stranded on the base paths to end the inning.
The Eagles again threatened in the seventh when senior center fielder Taylor Menhart singled to center. Sophomore Kalene Freshour then reached on an error by the shortstop. With runners on second and third, junior first basemen Jen Moore had an RBI groundout to score Menhart. The Eagles never were able to bring the tying run to the plate, however.
Ashland left seven runners on base compared to Indy's three.
AU
SOFT/LR