Tackett's Bunt Crucial As Express Sweep Ashland University JV In Home Finale

Travis Tackett lays down a perfect bunt for a single in the sixth inning of the second game. It would prove to be the game winning run as Michael Louis pinch ran for him, stole second and scored on a two-run single by Ryan Horvath. Below is Louis crossing the plate along with Manis on Horvath's single. Photos courtesy of Cherie Guthrie/Owens Sports Information
Travis Tackett lays down a perfect bunt for a single in the sixth inning of the second game. It would prove to be the game winning run as Michael Louis pinch ran for him, stole second and scored on a two-run single by Ryan Horvath. Below is Louis crossing the plate along with Manis on Horvath's single. Photos courtesy of Cherie Guthrie/Owens Sports Information
Posted: Apr 24, 2012

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---The Express got two solid outings from Sean Koerber and Alex Juday, while Clayton Ruch broke the school record for saves in a doubleheader sweep of Ashland University's JV team.

It was the final home doubleheader of the season for the Express.

Game 1: Owens 9 Ashland University JV 2

A six run sixth inning broke open a close game as the Express won the first game.

Koerber, who picked up the win, kept the game close as he pitched the first 5.2 innings and allowed seven hits, two runs and one walk while striking out four.

In the second, Ashland took a 1-0 lead, but Trevor Ozenbaugh's two-run double in the bottom half gave the Express their first lead.

In the fourth, Austin Legate's RBI groundout made it 3-1. After Ashland had two runners reach in the sixth, Dane Davis relieved Koerber. He allowed one inherited runner to score - cutting the Express lead back to one.

However, the Express had four hits, while Ashland committed five errors, in the bottom half to break the game open.

After Ruch reached on a throwing error, James Moore Jr. singled up the middle. An RBI double by Legate made it 4-2. Nate Manis then had an RBI groundout before four more runs scored via error or a passed ball.

Ruch pitched the seventh. He allowed a leadoff walk, but got a fly out and a double play to end the game.

Moore was 2-for-3 with a run, while Legate was 1-for-2 with two RBIs and Ozenbaugh was 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Ruch scored two runs in four at bats.

Game 2: Owens 3 Ashland University JV 0

Juday dominated, the Express offense got all three runs in the sixth and Ruch closed it out to pick up his school record seventh save.

After both teams combined for four hits through the first five and a half innings, the Express got three hits in the sixth to win it.

Travis Tackett led off with a perfect bunt single down the third base line. After Michael Louis pinch ran for him, Manis attempted to bunt him over, but the catcher decided to throw to second and was wild - putting runners on first and third. Following a steal by Manis, Ryan Horvath lined a two-run single to left center that put Owens up 2-0.

After Horvath advanced to third on a wild pitch, Ryan Hotmer laced an RBI single to center to make it 3-0.

Ruch then relieved Juday retired Ashland in order in the seventh to pick up his record save. He broke the previous record held by Dino Cowell in the 2001 season.

Juday's final line included six innings, two hits, four walks and five strikeouts. Zach Wolfe took the complete game loss for Ashland after allowing five hits, three runs (one earned) and zero walks while striking out three over six innings.

Tackett finished 2-for-2, while Horvath was 1-for-3 with a run and two RBIs. Hotmer and Daniel Heatherly each picked up one hit apiece, while Hotmer had an RBI. Manis, Horvath and Louis picked up one steal apiece.

Notes

The Express (16-31) will close out their regular season with a four-game series against Lakeland Community College in Mentor, OH this Friday and Saturday.

BCSN aired the first game live. It will be re-aired April 25 at 11:30 a.m. and April 26 at 8 p.m.