LINK – ASHLAND UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL PAGE
Using all three phases of the game effectively, Ashland University's softball team won both ends of a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday (April 6) at Parkside, 6-1 and 3-0.
The Eagles, who have received votes in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NCAA Division II poll for the third week in a row, improve to 23-11 overall and 9-5 in the GLIAC, good for move into second place in the conference standings thanks to their ninth win in the last 12 contests.
In the opener, Ashland had a 2-1 lead through three innings before breaking the game vs. the Rangers (0-32, 0-14) open with a four-spot in the top of the fourth. Senior first baseman Kylie Asmus collected an RBI single, then junior designated hitter Dayna Denner launched a three-run home run for the final margin of victory.
Denner was 3-for-4 with the homer, a run scored and four RBIs, Asmus drove in two runs, and senior center fielder Erika Farst was 2-for-4 with a double in Ashland's 12-hit attack. Sophomore pitcher Laney Jones (10-5) struck out 10 in the complete-game seven-hit victory, allowing just one run and two walks.
In Game 2, the Eagles scored all the runs they would need in the top of the first, plating a pair on a two-run homer from senior right fielder Halle Dorko. Junior catcher Cassie Haight added a solo shot in the top of the fourth for the game's other run.
Denner was 2-for-2, extending her hitting streak to nine games, during which she is hitting .481 with 11 runs, two doubles, five homers and 14 RBIs. Senior pitcher Hannah Stroe (11-6) twirled her second complete-game shutout of 2019, allowing one hit and two walks and whiffing eight.
Junior second baseman Camille Pollutro had hits in each game on Saturday to move her current hit streak to 11 games.
The Eagles had one error on defense on Saturday, and has 22 games this season with one or no miscues this spring (18-4 record).
Ashland will conclude its eight-game GLIAC road trip with a doubleheader on Sunday (April 7) at 11 a.m. at Davenport (15-14, 7-5).
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