Ashland Baseball Goes 2-1 in Latest Florida Action
March 11, 2004

By Joe Monaco, AU Sports Information

Ashland's baseball team picked up two wins against one loss in their latest games at the Gene Cusic Classic in Florida. On Wednesday, the Eagles defeated Missouri-St. Louis, 8-3. Thursday, AU split contests against Merrimack, leaving the overall season's record at 14-5.

Davidson Shuts Down Rivermen in Regional Rematch on Wednesday
Freshman pitcher John Davidson (Lexington, OH) tossed a complete game six-hitter to lift the Eagles to an 8-3 victory over Missouri – St. Louis in a rematch of last year’s NCAA Regional Tournament game on Wednesday (Mar. 10) in Fort Myers, FL.

The AU hurler struck out 11 hitters in the game and helped his own cause at the plate by connecting on a two-run single. Davidson is 3-3 on the mound this season.

The Eagle hitters collected 13 hits in the contest. Seniors Brandon Cornell (Columbus, OH/Bishop Watterson), Josh Gaub (Brunswick, OH) and Eric McDaniel (Curtice, OH/Owens C. C.) each added two hits apiece. One of Cornell’s hits was a two-run triple. Casey Jirsa (Tallmadge, OH) chipped in with two hits.

Ashland improved to 13-4 on the season. The Eagles will have a doubleheader against Merrimack College on Thursday (Mar. 11).

Eagles Settle for Split Against Merrimack
The Ashland University baseball team had its six-game winning streak come to an end as the Eagles took one of two games from Merrimack College at the Gene Cusic Classic in Florida on Thursday (Mar. 11).

In the first game of the twinbill, Merrimack scored three runs in the top of the second inning on a costly error by the Eagles. The Warriors held a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning until AU plated two runs in the frame. Senior Mark Kahlenberg’s (Pemberville, OH/Owens C.C.) sacrifice fly got the Eagles to within one run, but Merrimack hurlers didn’t allow a run the rest of the game, Ashland loses 3-2.

Junior Matt Pignato (Akron, OH/Revere) was the hard luck thrower for the Eagles as he tossed a complete game four-hitter. He struck out four Warriors and walked one. All three runs charged were unearned.

Senior Josh Gaub (Brunswick, OH) collected two of the team’s four hits in the contest.

In game two, Bryce Bednarczyk (Newark, OH/Columbus State C.C.) orchestrated another great pitching performance as he tossed a complete game three-hitter. The AU senior struck out 16 hitters, including nine of the final 10 batters in the game. He limited Merrimack to three hits, as Ashland picked up a 7-1 win.

The Eagles found their swing as the team pounded out 12 hits in the contest. Seniors Brandon Cornell (Columbus, OH/Bishop Watterson) and Eric McDaniel (Curtice, OH/Owens C.C.) along with freshmen Casey Jirsa (Tallmadge, OH) and John Davidson (Lexington, OH) each collected two hits apiece. One of McDaniel’s hits was a double.

Ashland scored three runs in the second frame highlighted by a two-run single by Gaub. The Eagles came back to three runs in the fourth and one in the sixth for the victory.

“Both pitchers threw really well. Overall, we played well defensively in both games and only had that one error (in the first game) that cost us. We didn’t hit particularly well in game one, but came back strong in the second game,” said head coach John Schaly.

AU is 14-5 overall. The Eagles will be back in action on Friday (Mar. 12) against Lynn University with game time slated for 2 p.m.