Eagles Turn On the Power, Split With NKU
April 11, 2003

For Popeye, a can of spinach did wonders. For Clark Kent, it was a quick dash into a phone booth and presto, you have Superman.

The Ashland University baseball team went through the same kind of transformation Thursday (Apr. 10). In the first game of a doubleheader at Northern Kentucky, the Eagles were limited to five hits in a 6-1 loss. In the nightcap, AU pounded out 16 runs and 21 hits in a 16-4 triumph.

Ashland is 20-9-1. Thursday’s non-conference twinbill matched two teams that advanced to the NCAA Division II regional tournament in 2002. Ashland looks to be on pace to make that trip again. NKU, which got off to a slow start, could be back there as well. The Norse are 19-13.

Senior righty Nate Wright took the loss in the first game. Wright, who’s 5-1, gave up four runs in 4 1/3 innings. He allowed six hits with a walk and three strikeouts. When he was bounced from the mound, AU turned to sophomore lefty Ryan Douglas. Douglas was superb last weekend at Grand Valley State. NKU had more success against him. Douglas was touched for three runs on two hits in 1 1/3 innings.

NKU broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring twice to take a 4-0 lead. Ryan Wells had two hits for NKU.

In the second game, AU scored six runs in the first inning and four more in the second. That was too much for NKU to overcome. Junior centerfielder Brandon Cornell was 4-for-4 with a pair of homers and three RBI. Cornell leads the Eagles with seven circuit blasts. Senior outfielder Adam Whetstone belted a homer as part of a 3-for-6 afternoon.

Junior catcher Josh Gaub was 3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored. Senior infielder Chris Skibinski was also 3-for-5 and sophomore designated hitter Allen Ayers went 3-for-3 and drove in four runs.

Sophomore Matt Pignato went the first four innings to gain the win. He’s 2-1. Pignato allowed six hit and four runs. He was followed to the mound by Jon Krugman, Chris Skibinski and Chad Moore.

Josh Perkins and Keith Jackson had two hits each for NKU.

Ashland returns to Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play this coming weekend (Apr. 12-13) with a four-game series at Hillsdale.