Eagles Run Win Streak To 10 With Baseball Sweep
March 22, 2006

This is the first year Wheeling Jesuit has sponsored varsity baseball. It figures the entire 2006 season could be a trial by fire affair.

That was the case Wednesday (March 22) at AU’s Donges Field where the Eagles swept the inexperienced Cardinals, 13-3 and 12-1. Thanks to frigid temperatures and a brisk wind, Tuesday’s twinbill brought back memories of James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” theme.

What the Cardinals saw, along with those AU fans who braved the conditions, was an Ashland team that upped its winning streak to 10 games. The Eagles are 18-3 and will open Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play this weekend at Mercyhurst.

AU led 11-2 after four frames in the first game. Senior Cody Castle (3-0) pitched the front three innings to get the win. Justin Richards and Ryan Douglas followed and both pitched two scoreless innings. The trio of AU pitchers held the Cardinals (1-19) to five safeties.

David Waters, John Hosgood and Josh Davidson had three hits each for AU. Waters, Davidson and freshman outfielder Bryan Thrasher knocked in two runs apiece. Waters and shortstop Jim Barry doubled and catcher Chase Beatty belted a triple.

Steve Young, who started and survived four innings, was the loser. Brandon Thruber pitched two innings out of the bullpen.

In the second game, the trio of Davidson, Barry and rookie Todd Schlenkerman handcuffed the Cardinals on four hits. Davidson started and gave the Eagles three scoreless innings, allowing one hit. Barry was touched for the lone run, on two hits, in three innings. He gained the win and ran his record to 3-2. Schlenkerman pitched the seventh and recorded a pair of strikeouts.

Catcher Eric Zattlin was 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBI. His day included a triple. Right fielder Jeff Foltz and shortstop Justin Randall had two hits each and both had two RBI. Foltz also doubled. AU was in front, 2-0 before striking for nine runs in the fifth inning. That uprising came against starter and loser Zach Moody. The lefthander lasted five innings.

AU had 10 hits in the nightcap.