Adams Pitches Eagles Past Berea
Berea, Ky. – Gardner Adams shut down Berea’s offense as Asbury survived the first day of the KIAC Playoff Series with a 10-5 win on Thursday afternoon. Adams allowed only one unearned run and four hits over seven innings while striking out nine.
Asbury (21-26) advances to play Brescia Friday at 3:00 pm in the winner’s bracket championship and a spot in the Playoff Series finals. The Eagles took an early 1-0 lead in fourth by playing small ball. Danny Olszowy led off with a walk and stole second and third. With two outs Greg Bowling delivered a single to bring in the game’s first run, Bowling finished the day 3-5.
One inning later the Eagles would load the bases and Drew Freeman was hit with the first pitch he saw. Matt Ciolek followed with a two run double. In the sixth Brandon Smith delivered an RBI double and Tyler Weaver singled in Smith to take a 6-0 lead. Smith picked up two hits and scored twice on the day.
Berea wouldn’t score until the seventh when Asbury led 8-0. Aaron Bee led off with a single then Adams struck out the next two batters. Alphonso Sotto hit a ball to the right field fence that Josh Thigpen dropped. Adams would bounce back to strike out the last batter he would face.
Mark Deetsch would struggle out of the bullpen, giving up four runs in two thirds of a inning. Brad Williams came in to earn his third save getting the last four outs.
