LINK – ASHLAND UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL PAGE
TIFFIN – It was a home doubleheader in name only, but the Game 2 comeback victory counts just the same.
On Friday (April 20) at Tiffin, Ashland University's softball team played a pair of games as the home team vs. Northwood, losing 5-2 and winning 3-1. The Eagles, playing their third twinbill away from Ashland in the last four days, are 16-16 overall and 6-8 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
"I was glad we were able to pull that second game out," said Ashland head coach Emlyn Knerem. "We've been struggling at the plate a little bit, and we gave up some big hits in that first game, but getting that second game, it feels good."
To start Game 1, the Timberwolves (18-15, 6-10) got on the board in the top of the first inning on a two-run single by Abby Joseph. Sydni Pauley gave Northwood a 3-0 lead in the top of the second on an RBI groundout.
Northwood scored again in the top of the third, posting two runs on a sacrifice fly by Danielle Bartodziej and an RBI double by Karli Godlewski for a 5-0 advantage.
Ashland chipped away at its deficit in the bottom of the third when junior designated player Katie Manahan lifted a sacrifice fly to left field. But while freshman pitcher Laney Jones came in and shut the door (four innings, one hit, no runs, one strikeout), the Eagles couldn't dent the scoreboard again until the bottom of the seventh.
There, sophomore second baseman Camille Pollutro brought up chalk on an RBI triple down the left-field line, but was stranded to end the game.
Junior first baseman Kylie Asmus and Pollutro each were 3-for-4, with Asmus scoring twice. Junior third baseman Paige Summers was 2-for-4.
The Timberwolves jumped out on top in Game 2, as well, scoring in the top of the third on an RBI double from Tara Gross.
Ashland, however, got all the answer it would need in the bottom of the fifth. Sophomore shortstop Bree Gill launched a three-run home run to left field for the final margin of victory.
"It felt really good," Gill said. "I was in that situation twice with runners on first and second and two out and didn't get the job done, so I just told myself I had to get those runs in.
"We're trying to stay consistent and take it day-by-day. This isn't how we wanted it to be (playing so many days in a row), but we're rolling with what we have, trying to make the best out of it."
Northwood loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the seventh, but couldn't get a run across home plate.
Summers was 2-for-2 with a run scored, and junior pitcher Hannah Stroe (6-7) twirled a complete-game eight-hitter. Stroe allowed a run and two walks and struck out six.
With a hit in Game 2, Asmus is on a 13-game hitting streak.
"Kylie's hitting the ball hard, putting the ball in play consistently," Knerem said. "That's what we want in a leadoff hitter."
UP NEXT: Another road GLIAC doubledip on Saturday (April 21) at 1 p.m. vs. No. 10-ranked Grand Valley State (29-5, 16-0). The Lakers have won 21 games in a row.
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