Ciolek Does it Again as Eagles Win in 11
WILMORE, Ky. – Matt Ciolek provided the game winner for the second time in four games as Asbury came back to beat Miami-Hamilton 8-7 in 11 innings on Thursday afternoon. The Eagles gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th before Ciolek knocked in two in the bottom of the inning.
The Eagles (6-3-2) fought back four times to re-take the lead, answering four out of five times the Harriers scored in the top half of an inning. Miami-Hamilton (0-5) scored in the top of the first putting three straight hits together, but Asbury starter Cody Christopher battled back to retire the next three batters. Christopher went four plus innings giving up 10 hits, four runs but only three earned, and striking out two.
The Eagles faced their first deficit in the bottom of the 11th after the Harriers added a run in the top half. Brandon Smith beat out an infield single that just stayed fair. Smith moved to second on a wild pitch and then went to third after another wild pitch. The second wild pitch also allowed Messner to reach on a walk. After Messner stole second, Tyler Weaver was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. That’s when Ciolek knocked a ball into left scoring Smith easily and Messner just beating the throw to the plate.
Ciolek finished the game with three RBIs, giving him a team-best 11 on the season. Olszowy, Evan Thomsen, and Greg Bowling each collected two hits and Brandon Smith had three hits. Bowling legged out a RBI triple in the third. Both of Thomsen’s hits were doubles. The team total of 13 is tied for the most this season, they also collected 13 against Bryan on February 18. Thomsen and Bowling each had two RBIs a piece.
Asbury answered in the bottom of the first with two runs to take their first lead. Casey Messner led off with an infield single before going to second on a passed ball. Tyler Weaver reached on a bunt single, moving Messner to third. Matt Ciolek knocked Messner in with a sacrifice fly to center. Weaver would score on a RBI groundout by Danny Olszowy.
Asbury used their speed once they reached base, stealing seven bases. Olszowy swiped two bags, staying a perfect 7-for-7 on the season. Greg Bowling also remains perfect in attempts adding one to give him a team-high nine.
Josh Cummins (1-0) picked up the win, pitching one inning and giving up two hits and the go-ahead run in the 11th. Mark Deetsch threw four innings in relief of Christopher and after allowing a single and committing a throwing error that allowed two runs to score in the fifth settled down. The senior from Louisville struck out the next eight batters and finished with 10 on the day, tying a career-high. Jon Wes Adams also pitched two perfect innings, striking out two.
Overall Asbury struck out 16 Harriers on the day, the most in a single game since baseball was brought back four years ago. The previous high was 15 against Cincinnati Christian on March 20, 2010.
This weekend’s four game series against Huntington (Ind.) has been cancelled due to the pending rain and been re-scheduled as a double-header on Saturday March 12th. A single nine-inning game at Georgetown College has also been added to the schedule for Wednesday March 9th at 5:00 pm.
