Pioneers Top Eagles in Extras
WILMORE, Ky. – Asbury baseball dropped the series finale against No. 6 Point Park 10-6 in 10 innings on Saturday afternoon. The teams split the season series 2-2 after the Eagles won two of three on Friday. Asbury falls to 9-22, 2-2 KIAC and Point Park evens their record at 9-9, 2-2 KIAC.
The Eagles were slow out of the gate against Austin Pressly, collecting only one hit in 3.1 innings against the righty, a single to lead off the second by Tyler Messner. Despite the lack of offense the Eagles knocked out Pressly in the fourth and scored five runs, two charged to Pressly, on just two hits. Point Park used three pitchers in the fourth and gave up four walks and hit two batters that pushed across the first three runs. Asbury also scored on a wild pitch and a single from Dallas Murphy.
Point Park got to Asbury starter Anthony Palmer, scoring two in the second and three in the third to knock him out. Chad Warner came in and pitched effectively for 3.1 innings, allowing just two hits and one run. He struck out four and walked three. Warner was on the hook for the loss as Point Park scored the go-ahead run on a home run to right by Tom Birko.
The Eagles rallied in the seventh, like they have so many times this season. Tyler Messner led off with a double to deep right field, his second hit of the game. Andrew Cook followed with a single and Messner moved to third. Logan Crum followed with a sacrifice fly to deep center field to tie the game at 6-6.
Point Park finally got to Micah Pace in the 10th, his fourth inning of work out of the bullpen. Tom Pasinski provided the winning hit, delivering two runs with a single up the middle past a drawn-in infield. The Pioneers added two more runs before Josh Bertke was summoned to end the threat. Pace (2-3) pitched 3.1 innings out of the bullpen and allowed three hits, four runs and two walks. Asbury’s bullpen pitched 7.1 innings in the game, allowing five hits and five runs. Point Park’s bullpen pitched 6.2 innings and allowed seven hits, four runs and walked three. Ryan Loutsenhizer (2-0) picked up the win with three innings of one-hit ball and struck out four.
The loss ends Asbury’s bid for their third three-game winning streak of the season. Asbury is now 4-3 against Point Park going back to last season. The Pioneers have been ranked in the top-10 in all seven meetings. Point Park was picked by the coaches to win the KIAC in their first season in the league. Asbury was picked third.
The Eagles are set to host St. Catharine in non-conference action on Tuesday. The doubleheader is scheduled for a 1 pm start. Asbury will get back into conference action next weekend, hosting Indiana Southeast on Friday and Saturday. For up to date standings in the KIAC visit the league site at www.kaicsports.com.
