By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Ashland, OH---Despite three home runs, the Express dropped both games of a doubleheader to Ashland University's JV team on Wednesday.
Game 1: Ashland JV 10 Owens 7
The Express rallied to tie the game at seven headed to the bottom of the sixth, but Ashland plated three to get the 10-7 win.
Daniel Heatherly put the Express up 2-0 in the second inning on a two-run home run after Ryan Hotmer singled to lead off the inning.
In the bottom half of the third, Ashland scored five runs (three earned) off Express starter Sean Koerber and took a 5-2 lead. Then, in the next half inning, Travis Tackett hit a home run deep down the right field line to pull the Express within one at 5-4.
After three more runs for Ashland in the bottom of the fourth made it 7-4, the Express cut the deficit to one once again in the top of the fifth. Nate Manis singled to lead off the inning and Joe Sickler doubled him home one batter later. Two batters after Sickler, Myles Debol roped a single to left field to score Sickler and make it 7-6.
In the sixth, Michael Louis reached second with one out when Ashland's left fielder dropped a fly ball on the warning track. Louis then stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Clayton Ruch.
Ashland then scored three runs with two outs to seal the game in the bottom half. Owens was retired 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh.
Heatherly led Owens offensively as he finished 2-for-3 with a HR, two runs and two RBIs. Tackett was 1-for-3 with a HR, a run and two RBIs. Sickler and Louis each stole a base.
Koerber (0-2) went the distance for the Express on the mound. He allowed 10 hits, 10 runs (eight earned) and two walks while striking out five in six innings.
Ian McNichol got the win for Ashland in relief, while three players keyed Ashland's offense. Mickey Mansea finished 3-for-4 with a run and four RBIs, Stephen James was 3-for-4 with three runs and three RBIs, and Tyler Bires was 1-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs.
Game 2: Ashland JV 6 Owens 3
The Express gave up two runs in each of the first three innings in a 6-3 loss in the second game.
With his team down 6-0, Ryan Horvath hit a solo home run to right center in the sixth to make it 6-1. Then, in the seventh, the Express tried to rally even further. Tackett led off with a double to center field. Louis then followed with a single to put runners on first and third. Following a sacrifice fly by Nick Collins and a strikeout, Trevor Ozenbaugh hit an RBI double to left. However, a groundout ended the game.
Louis and Horvath each had two hits to lead Owens. Louis finished 2-for-3 with a run, while Horvath finished 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI.
Dane Davis (1-1) started for the Express and took a tough luck loss. He allowed seven hits, six runs (two earned) and one walk with one strikeout. Jeff Davis, Hotmer and Ruch each pitched one scoreless, hitless innings in relief.
Zach Wolfe started and got the win for Ashland. James and Sean Leonard led Ashland at the plate. James finished 1-for-3 with a run and two RBIs, while Leonard was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Notes
- Wednesday's games were originally scheduled to be played at Owens, but unplayable field conditions forced the move to Ashland. Therefore, Ashland will now play at Owens on April 24.
- Horvath is now leading the Express in batting average this season at .375. In 10 games played, he is 12-for-32 with eight runs, one double, two triples, one home run and five RBIs. James Moore Jr. is hitting an even .300 (6-for-20) with two runs, one double and two RBIs.
- Owens will play a doubleheader against Mercyhurst North East in North East, PA Thursday beginning at 2 p.m.