Eagles swipe two from Ohio Christian, 10-3 and 11-4.
Wilmore, KY - Asbury stole 20 bases in both games combined, including 15 in the second game alone on the way to earning a doubleheader sweep of Ohio Christian on Saturday. Freshman Adam Ward led the way with eight stolen bases over the course of both games.
The first game, a 10-3 win, featured a strong pitching performance from freshman Greg Bowling, going five innings allowing only three hits and striking out five Ohio Christian batters. Freshman James Barber collected two doubles and knocked in three runs while fellow freshman Colby Flowers tripled home two runs in the third inning as a part of a three-run third that put Asbury up 5-0 and in cruise control. The Eagles would add one more run after Barber's second double plated Mark Deetsch.
Ohio Christian would rally in the 6th inning for three runs against Eagle reliever Evan Thomsen, but the Eagles would respond with a four-run bottom 6th, highlighted by a right field line double by freshman Travis McConathy. Freshman William Blackburn earned a save by entering in the sixth to close out the Ohio Christian rally and pitched a scoreless seventh for the final, 10-3 result.
The second game of the day featured Ohio Christian bursting out to a quick lead with three runs in the first inning off McConathy. However, the Eagles rallied with two runs in the bottom half, getting their first run without a hit as Adam Ward was hit by a pitch, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Slade Halvaksz walked and both runners were given a base after a balk on the Ohio Christian pitcher, plating Ward. Thomsen would then single home Halvaksz after he stole third base to bring Asbury within a run at 3-2.
Ohio Christian would add a run in the second inning but Asbury would answer with three runs in the bottom of the 2nd started by Ward's single, scoring pinch runner B.J. Pugh in for starting catcher Garrett Cone. Ward would steal second and third before a Halvaksz walk prompted a conference between the Ohio Christian pitcher and catcher in the infield with the ball still in play. Ward took advantage by racing home for his third stolen base of the inning, tying the score at 4-4. Halvaksz would steal second and third, then scored on a passed ball by the Ohio Christian catcher to give Asbury a 5-4 lead.
Halvaksz would add a run with a sacrifice fly, scoring Ward after two more steals in the fourth. RBI hits from Terrence Shelburne and Geoffery Witt in the fifth would add two more runs and the Eagles capped the scoring with three runs in the bottom of the sixth for the 11-4 result.
With the wins Asbury moves to 7-9 on the season. They will next be in action on Tuesday against Thomas More at home in a game added to the schedule just over the weekend. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. The Eagles then face Miami-Middletown in a doubleheader at home on Wednesday starting at 3:30 before entering conference play this weekend at IU-Southeast on Friday and Saturday, each doubleheaders beginning at 1:00 p.m.
