Offense Silent in Pitching Duel
WILMORE, Ky. – Asbury couldn’t produce any late inning magic as they fell to St. Catharine 3-0 on Tuesday afternoon. The Eagles had only three hits but left two on in the ninth and seven in the game.
After giving up a run on a double and a single in the first inning, Asbury’s Connor Belcher settled in and shutout the Patriots during his final six innings of work. The freshman allowed only one run in seven innings of work, his longest outing of the season. Belcher gave up five hits and walked seven but was always able to wiggle out of a jam.
In the seventh with runners on the corners freshman center fielder Simeon Bell made a diving catch deep in the right-center gap to preserve the 1-0 deficit.
The Eagles (8-34) had their best opportunity to tie the game in the sixth. Casey Messner led off the inning with a single to center. After being lifted for a courtesy runner, Micah Pace was sacrificed to second by Tyler Weaver and then advanced on a wild pitch. Pace was then thrown out at the plate as he tried to score off a bouncing ball to the shortstop.
After St. Catharine (30-18) scored two more in the eighth to push their lead to three the Eagles Messner again reached base, this time a two-out walk. The walk gives the junior 83 for his career, breaking the school record. After he stole second, his 23rd of the season, he was stranded after Weaver lined out to third.
In the ninth Danny Olszowy and Tyler Wooden led off with singles and later stole second and third to put runners in scoring position with one out. Once again the Eagles were unable to cash in as CJ Gant closed the door to earn his first save of the season. Jake Waardenburg picked up the win with seven innings of two-hit ball, striking out six.
Asbury returns to KIAC action this weekend, hosting Brescia in a four-game set starting on Friday at 1 p.m. Saturday’s doubleheader will begin at 12 p.m. with senior day activities taking place in between games.
