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Cornell, Gaub Lead
Baseball Sweep of Mercyhurst |
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Complete Box Scores This isn’t a 26.2-mile marathon where many of the runners cross the finish line with tongues hanging out of their mouths and shoes. This isn’t a NASCAR race, either, with caution flags and plenty of smoke and fury. This race, the battle to become Ashland University’s career hits leader, began four seasons ago. It’s been conducted with quiet class and by two players working under the same banner. Seniors Josh Gaub and Brandon Cornell combined for eight hits and four RBI Wednesday (Apr. 28) at Donges Field as AU took two games from Mercyhurst. AU scored three times in the bottom of the seventh inning to win the opener, 5-4 and then pounded out 25 hits to win the second game, 24-6. At the conclusion of the day, Cornell stood in first place in career hits with 238. Gaub is second with 237. Both went ahead of previous leader Jason Boland (236, 1998-01) during the twinbill. With the sweep AU is 39-11, 19-6 and in first place in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The ‘Hurst is 19-27 and 12-16 and still alive for the fourth and final playoff spot in the GLIAC Tournament, which begins next weekend. In the first game, it appeared as if the ‘Hurst would get a critical victory. The visitors got to AU starter Cody Castle for two runs in the fourth inning to go in front, 3-1. AU wasn’t doing anything with MC starter Dave Guido. The senior righty lasted six innings and allowed only seven hits. He was touched four runs runs, two earned. Guido walked four and struck out six. He used an assortment of off-speed pitches to keep the Eagles off balance all game. The Eagles had some luck thrown their way in the bottom of the seventh. First of all, Guido departed in favor of sophomore Nick Candy. Candy had a throwing error on a bunt by David Waters which got two runs home. Waters then came home from third on shortstop Eric McDaniel’s sacrifice fly to left. Castle went the distance to up his record to 7-2. He gave up 10 hits and four runs (two earned). Castle walked two and whiffed five. The Lakers were led by Eric Meacham and Daniel Coffee. Both players were 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI. The second game didn’t have nearly as much drama. AU got the better of the Lakers for the fourth time this year thanks to an offensive attack that wore down four MC hurlers. Ashland scored four times in the second and sixth innings and produced eight-run blasts in the third and fifth frames. Once again the Lakers helped the Eagles along with five errors. Cornell was 4-for-4 with two triples and two RBI. Gaub was 2-for-4 with a double. Junior outfielder Allen Ayers was 3-for-6 with a double, homer and four RBI. McDaniel was 2-for-4 with three RBI and a homer. AU also got a circuit clout from outfielder Adam Wilson. AU starter Josh Davidson didn’t have his usual command of the strike zone, but still stuck around to earn the victory. He went four innings and was touched for four runs. Davidson gave up eight hits, walked three and struck out five. He’s 8-2. Meacham, Tim Stacey, Paddy Relihan and Chris Riordan had two hits each for MC. The Eagles will conclude GLIAC regular season action this coming weekend with a four-game series at Findlay. |