Eagles Pitching Shuts Down Cumberlands
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – Asbury baseball did something on Tuesday that they’ve never done before, sweep a doubleheader against University of the Cumberlands. The Eagles won game one 7-1 behind a complete game from Cody Christopher and followed that up with a 5-1 victory in game two.
Christopher (Winchester, Ky.) allowed only seven hits in seven innings while striking out six. He walked three. The only run the Patriots scored came in the third after the Eagles had built a 6-0 lead.
Christopher (1-1) walked the leadoff batter and then gave up a double to score the run. He was in trouble with a man on third and no outs but Jared Martin lined out to short and Justin Jackson was doubled off of third on the play. The Eagles’ defense turned three double-plays behind Christopher in the game.
Asbury (18-7-2) continued to jump on teams in the first inning, scoring four times in game one. The Eagles pieced together four hits in the frame with Danny Olszowy providing a sacrifice fly. Greg Bowling hit an RBI single and Jordan Barker added a two-RBI double. The Eagles would add two more in the second as Casey Messner and Danny Oslzowy scored on a passed ball. Bowling finished the game with three hits.
In game two the Eagles turned out another fine pitching performance as Gardner Adams, Drew Freeman, Brad Williams and Anthony Palmer combined to allow just five hits and one run. Adams (6-1) started and got the win after three innings of three hit ball. He allowed one run and struck out four.
The Eagles fell behind after Cumberlands scored in the bottom of the second, but Asbury answered with two in the top of the third. They would add three more in the fifth. Tyler Weaver and Colby Flowers each collected two hits in the game, and combined to score three of the team’s runs. Flowers, Mark Deetsch and Danny Olszowy each had an RBI.
Asbury continues to chase the team record for wins, currently set at 25. That feat has been accomplished twice, first in 1999 (25-24) and then again in 2009 (25-23).
The Eagles will host the top team in the KIAC, Indiana Southeast on Friday and Saturday for a four game series. Friday’s action gets underway at 1:00 pm and Saturday is slated to begin at 12:00 pm. IUS is currently 8-1 in KIAC action and Asbury is just a game behind at 7-2. Asbury won their only meeting this season 4-3 on March 18th.
