AU Baseball Opens With Split at Bellarmine
February 21, 2004

The Ashland University baseball team opened its season on Saturday (Feb. 21) by dividing a doubleheader at Bellarmine in Louisville, KY.

The Eagles led for most of the first game before a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning sent the Knights on their way to a 4-3 win. In the nightcap AU won, 9-2.

Senior outfielder Bryce Bednarczyk had a two-run double in the first game. Senior outfielder Brandon Cornell rapped a triple and senior infielder Eric McDaniel picked up his first double of the season. AU had six hits.

Ashland built up a 9-0 lead in the second game behind junior lefty Ryan Douglas. Douglas didn’t allow a run until there were two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. He went the distance, allowing six hits. He walked three and struck out seven.

Bednarczyk had a double and drove in two runs while going 2-for-4. Cornell was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI and sophomore outfielder David Waters was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. McDaniel had a two-run homer.

“We only made one error all day so I’m pretty pleased for the first time out,” said AU head coach John Schaly.

Ashland and Bellarmine will complete their weekend series with a nine-inning single game on Sunday.