Eagles Win Nail Biters, Sweep Gray Wolves

Game 1 | Game 2 | Season Stats

WILMORE, Ky. – Asbury picked up their first home win of the season and first doubleheader sweep with two one-run victories over Lourdes University on Friday afternoon.  The Eagles came from behind to win game one 7-6 and walked off with a 5-4 win in game two.  The second game was called in the bottom of the sixth due to darkness.

The second game ended in one of the most bizarre baseball plays you’ll ever see.  With the score tied 4-4 and Casey Messner at second with one out, Matt Cox came to the plate.  The umpire calls a balk and the pitcher pitches anyway, Cox swings and knocks the ball into right and Messner scampers home for the winning run.  Cox knocked in two in the game and had one hit.

Simeon Bell collected two hits and score two runs in the game.  Bell had one of the team’s three doubles in the game.  Jordan Cox and Tyler Messner each picked up a double as well.  The Eagles (3-14) scored a run in each of the first two innings before adding two in the fifth to give Zach Settle a 4-0 cushion.

Settle allowed just six hits in 5.1 innings and left with a chance to pick up his first win.  Lourdes (1-3) scored all four of their runs in the sixth inning, two being charged to Settle and one each to relievers Josh Bertke and Micah Pace.  Pace (1-2) picked up the win and was in line for the save before two errors in the inning led to two runs.

In game one the Eagles overcame a 3-1 deficit with a four-run fourth inning that gave them the lead for good.  Matt Cox delivered in that inning, driving in Casey and Tyler Messner with a single to center that notched the game at 3-3.  After Cox swiped second, Bell singled to knock in Cox.  Bell later scored after an error by the shortstop.

Matt Cox, Jordan Cox and Jared Hahn all collected two hits in the game, including a triple by Matt Cox.  Bell drove in two on the game and Matt Cox scored twice.  Landon Skaggs doubled in a run in the sixth.

Asbury tacked on runs in the sixth and needed the cushion as Lourdes left the tying run on third.  The Gray Wolves produced a one-out single and after an error put two on, Pace walked a batter to load it up.  Josh Redies singled in two before Pace forced Andy Kefalos into a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.

Anthony Palmer  pitched four innings, allowing five hits and three runs – two of which were earned – to even his record at 2-2.  Pace picked up his second save of the season.

Asbury and Lourdes will be back at it again on Saturday with a doubleheader set to begin at 12 pm.