Charleston, W.Va. - The Golden Eagles go 1-2 in their home series against Ashland University after 3 very close games that often showcased the pitching prowess of both squads.
The Basics
Game 1 Score: UC: 0, AU: 2
Game 2 Score: UC: 8, AU: 0
Game 3 Score: UC: 4, AU: 7
Location: Welch Athletic Complex – Charleston, W.Va.
Records: Charleston (3-4, 0-0 MEC) , Ashland (2-1, 0-0 Conf.)
How it Happened
Game 1:
The first game of the series saw the Golden Eagles lose in a close ballgame by the final score of 0-2. The game was neck-and-neck throughout all 7 innings of play with the deciding factor coming from a couple of runs scored by Ashland in the 6th inning.
Austin Henrich got the starting nod for the Golden Eagles and had another great showing that unfortunately did not result in a victory. Henrich pitched 5 shutout innings, accumulating 4 of his 5 strikeouts in the ballgame in such period, while only allowing 1 hit. With his dominant stretch coming to an end in the 6th inning, Ashland finally was able to strike offensively.
The 6th started with a groundout to the pitcher. Following that, a walk and a single to shortstop got Ashland rolling as they had multiple baserunners for the first time in the ballgame. With a man on first and third, a successful bunt single was placed down by Micah Allen and drove in the first Ashland runner. From there, another bunt single loaded the bases and then a walk drove in the second runner for Ashland giving them a late 2-0 lead.
Ashland only accumulated 1 more hit than UC (5-4), but their hits predominantly came in the 6th inning with runners on base which led to them receiving the win in this very impressive pitching and defensive showcase from both squads. Ashland would take the win 2-0 with the win earned by Ashland's Chance Hitch and the loss given to UC's Austin Henrich.
Game 2:
The second game of this series was a great game all-around by the Golden Eagles and a showcase of what this team is capable of when all three phases are in gear at the same time. UC defeated Ashland 8-0, shedding some light on their pitching, hitting, and defensive skill to the highest degree.
Logan Campbell started for the Golden Eagles and put on an electric performance. Campbell was in a groove from the first pitch as he would go on to deal 6.1 innings only allowing 6 hits and 1 walk while garnering a jaw-dropping 14 strikeouts. 74 percent of his forced outs came from strikeouts. A dominant performance in his second outing as a Golden Eagle.
UC's bats came would come alive in this ballgame as well as they put up 8 runs. Five of which came in the 5th inning. In the 5th inning, the first run was driven in by
Braxton Boddorf who singled to third base, driving in
Jesse Elliott. From there, the Golden Eagles would load up the bases and a walk by
Colby Johnson drove in Boddorf.
Drew Hefner then poured it on with a bases-clearing double to center field.
In the 8th inning, the Golden Eagles kept their foot on the pedal. It started with
Hayden Cartt launching a ball clear into the Kanawha river against former Golden Eagle Pitcher, Jordan Peck. Charleston would then add on another RBI double to right-center coming off the bat of junior
Jordan Bailey. A sacrifice fly to right field by
Andrew Berry brought in the final run of the ballgame. UC would go on to take the win 8-0.
Game 3:
The final game of this series had everybody on the edge of their seats as after 5 consecutive scoreless innings of play.
Seth Nightingale started for UC and came out of the gate running. He pitched five straight shutout innings while not allowing a single hit. He also garnered six strikeouts while working at an incredibly quick pace. However, the 6th inning saw his first signs of struggle in the ballgame.
In the 6th, Ashland led off the inning with a walk. The Eagles would then follow that up with a single to right field driving in their first run of the ballgame. A wild pitch from UC would allow Ashland's runner to advance into scoring position. Another single to right-center would result in another Ashland run. This marked the end of Nightingale's outing as he was then relieved by
Robert Fultineer who came in clutch forcing a double play to get the Golden Eagles out of the inning.
Charleston responded well by regaining the lead in the bottom of the 6th. Hefner led off the inning with a single and then a couple of walks led to the bases being loaded with only one out. Then a poorly thrown ball to first base allowed two Golden Eagles to cross home plate tying the ballgame up. The Golden Eagles would then take the lead after a rundown between first and second allowing
Hayden Cartt to score from third base.
The Golden Eagles would maintain their lead through the 9th inning. However, in the 9th, a crucial error would occur in left field giving Ashland the lead. Ashland would then extend their lead with a single that drove in one run and then allowed another run to cross home after a throwing error at shortstop.
Finally, two more runs would be put up by Ashland with one coming off an RBI double down the right-field line and another coming across home after a wild pitch to the backstop. This gave Ashland a 7-3 lead going into the bottom of the 9th inning.
UC would ultimately lose with a final score of 4-7. They would end up scoring one run via a fielder's choice to shortstop and eventually loaded the bases with 2 outs, but their push came to an end after pinch hitter,
Justin Robles, popped out to first.
Head Coach Britt's Take on the Series
"I thought we played another weekend of really good baseball against a Top 10 team. Right now, we are having trouble catching brakes offensively and it's a shame because we've pitched it and played tremendous defense, with that said, I believe playing these tough teams early will serve us well down the road," said head coach Robbie Britt
Next Up
The Golden Eagles will look to bounce back in next weekend's series at home against the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. They will play Saturday a 1 P.M. and 4 P.M. as well as Sunday at 1 P.M.
