Eagles Extend Softball Winning Streak to Six Games
April 23, 2004

By Joe Monaco, AU Sports Information

Complete Box Scores
Game 1        Game 2

There’s a saying, “six to one – half a dozen to another,” but however you say it, the Ashland University softball team will take it.

The Eagles extended their winning streak to six games with a pair of victories in Midland, MI, against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe Northwood University on Friday (Apr. 23).

In the first game of the double dip, the Eagles handed Northwood a 6-0 setback. It was the fifth game in a row that the Timberwolves failed to score a run.

Senior hurler Josie Nelson (Prior Lake, MN/Jordan) pitched five strong innings, allowing no runs on three hits. She struck out eight hitters and did not allow a walk. It was the second consecutive outing that Nelson did not allow a runner to reach base on a free pass. The AU righty improved her record to 12-8 on the season.

The Eagles picked up a pair of runs in the second inning when Nelson led off the frame with a double to right center then advanced to third on a wile pitch. With one out, junior Nicole Placie (Cridersville, OH/Wapakoneta) deposited a home run over the right center fence. It was her second dinger of the season.

Ashland picked up three more insurance runs in the fifth when Bree Beabout (Powell, OH/Olentangy) reached on an error then advanced to second on the throw. She made her way to third after a pass ball and was knocked in on a sacrifice fly by Ann Dunmire (Loudonville, OH). Nelson helped her own cause as she contributed with a RBI single to drive in Ashley Mayle (Louisville, OH). She would later score on a fielder’s choice by Placie.

Mayle finished the game with two hits. Junior Sara Mathes (Massillon, OH/Jackson) connected on her team-high seventh home run of the season.

In game two, the ‘Wolves shot themselves in the foot as committed five errors in the bottom of the fifth inning, which allowed the Eagles to score four runs. AU won the game 5-3.

Senior Leslie Eberhardt (Jeromesville, OH/Hillsdale) picked up the victory as she tossed a complete game seven-hitter for the winners. She allowed three runs while striking out five hitters.

The Eagles improved their record to 25-15 (10-4 in GLIAC) while Northwood dropped to 13-16 (3-13 in GLIAC).

Northwood outhit the Eagles, 7-5, in the contest. However – the ‘Wolves committed six errors in the contest compared to one on AU.

Ashland is midway through its eight-game road trip and will stop in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, for a doubleheader against Lake Superior State on Saturday (Apr. 24). Game time is slated for 12 p.m.