Eagles Split Behind Harreld's Shutout
Asbury would later have to forfeit game two of the doubleheader after the use of ineligible players.
WILMORE, Ky. – Asbury softball split a pair of games against Transylvania University on Monday, dropping the first game 6-4 before rallying to win the second 5-0 behind a three-hitter from Maris Harreld.
Harreld allowed only one runner to reach second base, on a leadoff double in the sixth. A pair of fly outs and a ground out let her out of the inning. The junior pitcher struck out four and walked one in her fourth shutout of the season, and also evened her record at 8-8.
In the second game the Eagles pounded out 15 hits, the 13th time they reached double digits in hits. Julie Jarboe and Emily Ethington both had three hits in the game. Ethington and Kelsey Robinson both drove in two as the Eagles scored in four of their six at-bats. The Eagles (19-24) also left 11 runners on base, a theme that hurt them in game one.
In game one Transy scored twice in the first inning, both due to an error that prolonged the inning. The Eagles responded in the bottom half after Mary Ann Warford doubled to lead off the inning. She scored on an RBI groundout by Hailey Vernon. Vernon drove in another run in the third with a bases loaded single to short.
In that third inning Asbury left two on after a line drive double play off the bat of Harreld ended the threat. The Eagles left seven on base in the game. After the third the Pioneers held a 3-2 lead and in the fifth they added three more to push the game out of reach.
In the sixth the Eagles had a run in with runners at second and third and Warford at the plate. The senior had two hits but needed the third to give the Eagles a shot. Harreld homered in the seventh to bring the final margin to 6-4.
Asbury will finish out the regular season over the weekend with a pair of KIAC doubleheaders, travelling to Midway on Friday before returning home to host senior day on Saturday.
