Strong Pitching leads AU in Sweep of Wayne State
April 23, 2004

Complete Box Scores
Game 1        Game 2

After Jack Nicklaus won the U.S. Open in 1967, he failed to win another major tournament until the British Open in 1970 – a string of 12 major tournaments. Reporters and critics all began to whisper that the Golden Bear had finally “lost” his game. However – after capturing four major titles and three runner-ups between 1970 and 1972, those who once doubted him began to feel that Nicklaus had “found” the game that was missing over the past years.

The Ashland University softball team can relate. After struggling early in the season, the Eagles have seemed to “find” the game that they had made them successful over the years – strong pitching, timely hitting and outstanding defense.

The Eagles used all of those characteristics to sweep Wayne State, 5-1 and 5-3, in an important Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match-up on Thursday (Apr. 22) in Detroit, MI.

AU ace Josie Nelson (Prior Lake, MN/Jordan) held the Warriors to one run on six hits in seven innings of action to pick up her 11th win of the season. She is now three wins shy of tying Natalie Pry for most career victories (78). She struck out 10 hitters and didn’t allow a walk.

The Eagles pounded out 10 hits in the game with senior designated player Ann Dunmire (Loudonville, OH) leading the way with two hits, including a three-run home run in the first inning. Ashley Mayle (Louisville, OH) also connected on her first home run of her career.

Freshman Bree Beabout (Powell, OH/Olentangy) added two hits in the contest and continues to lead the squad with a .345 batting average. Nelson and catcher Nicole Placie (Cridersville, OH/ Wapakoneta) each added a double for the winners.

In the second contest, the Eagles used a three-run sixth inning rally to comeback from a 3-2 deficit to take the game. Beabout and Mayle each added two hits, including one double apiece. Beabout drove in two runs in the game.

Senior Leslie Eberhardt (Jeromesville, OH/Hillsdale) picked up the victory to take sole possession of third place on AU’s all-time wins record (39), surpassing Kim Herman and Jen Boso. The AU righthander pitched a complete game seven-hitter for the win. She struck out seven Warriors in the contest.

The Eagles improved their record to 23-15, 8-4 in the conference, while Wayne State fell to 32-22, 11-5 in the GLIAC.

AU continues its eight-game road stretch with a doubleheader at Northwood on Friday (Apr. 23).