Offensive Explosion Powers Eagles Past Berea

WILMORE, Ky. – Asbury’s offense finally broke out as the Eagles swept Berea College 6-5 and 12-3 in KIAC action on Friday afternoon.  The Eagles tied a season-high with 12 runs in game two and their 26 combined hits were the most in back-to-back games this season.

The Eagles (6-27, 5-5 KIAC) hit four home runs in game two as they pounded out 15 hits including eight extra-base hits.  Casey Messner, Simeon Bell and Josh Cummins all hit their first home runs of the season as Danny Olszowy hit his second.  Messner also tripled down the right field line in the first and scored twice.  Cummins collected three hits in the game and scored three times as the Eagles scored in every inning except the fourth.

Brandon Smith also pounded out three hits including two doubles and a triple.  He picked up three RBIs and scored twice.  Eight starters picked up a hit in the game and six different players had an RBI. 

Outside of the offensive fireworks in game two the Eagles’ Brad Williams turned out one of the best pitching performances of the season.  Williams tossed the first complete game of the season for the Eagles and allowed only five hits.  Two of the three runs were earned and Williams struck out a career-high eight batters.

In game one the Eagles needed some late inning magic after blowing a 2-0 and a 4-2 lead earlier in the game.  Tyler Wooden provided the heroics with a walk-off single to left to score Tyler Weaver from second.  Wooden had three hits in the game and drove in three.  The senior leads the team with 20 RBI. 

Danny Olszowy also collected three hits in game one, two on triples and another on a double.  That gives Olszowy 18 career triples, tying him for the school record.  The senior already holds school records in doubles, runs scored, stolen bases and RBI. 

Micah Pace picked up his second win in relief, finishing the final three innings, allowing only one base-runner, a hit batter in the seventh. 

Asbury will look to take the season series with Berea with another win tomorrow in a doubleheader slated to start at 12 p.m.