LINK – ASHLAND UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL PAGE
In its second trip down to Columbus, Ohio, in 2019, Ashland University's softball team split a regional doubleheader at Ohio Dominican on Wednesday (April 17), winning 3-0 and losing 6-4.
The Eagles, who also split a twinbill at the Panthers on March 16, are 25-17, while ODU is 26-18. In the first NCAA Division II Midwest Regional rankings released on Wednesday, Ashland was No. 8, and Ohio Dominican was No. 7.
The scoreless tie in Game 1 was broken in the top of the fourth inning when senior third baseman Paige Summers launched her fourth home run of the season, a solo shot. Ashland tacked on two more runs in the top of the sixth when sophomore pitcher Laney Jones helped her own cause with a double.
Jones (12-7) authored her fourth shutout of 2019, twirling a complete-game three-hitter while striking out five and not walking a batter.
The nightcap saw the Eagles fall behind early, with the Panthers putting up a five-spot in the bottom of the second. Ashland clawed back with three runs in the top of the fourth thanks to two more round-trippers – a solo blast from senior right fielder Halle Dorko, her second of the season, and a two-run clout from sophomore shortstop Abigail Butler, her first.
ODU got a run back in the bottom of the fourth, then Ashland scored once in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by senior first baseman Kylie Asmus, but finished the game with the tying run at the plate.
Dorko was 2-for-3 with a double and a homer, Asmus was 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Butler drove in and scored two runs. Senior pitcher Hannah Stroe (11-10) allowed nine hits, six runs and three walks and struck out four in six innings.
Ashland will continue its road trip on Friday (April 19) at No. 15 Grand Valley State.
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