The Ashland University baseball team dropped a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup 8-5 to Grand Valley State on Sunday afternoon at Donges Field.

Mackenzie Hampshire started the scoring for Ashland (14-10, 5-1 GLIAC) by hitting a double to left field that scored Lance Myers. Myers went 3-for-5 for the day.

Nick Edwards then tripled to right field, scoring Hampshire. With that, Ashland had the early 2-0 lead. 

The teams remained scoreless for the next two innings, until GVSU (13-9-1, 4-2 GLIAC) exploded for five runs in the fourth inning and three in the fifth.

Trailing 8-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, AU began to battle back. J.P. Sorma led off the inning with a walk. Sorma had a big day for AU, reaching base in all five of his trips to the plate (2-for-2, three walks).

Adam Vasil then brought Sorma around to score via a two-run home run to left field.

The Eagles continued to claw their way back into the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. This time it was Mike Lewandowski who got into the action, doubling down the right field line. Myers followed suit and doubled to right-center, bringing home Lewandowski.

AU brought the winning run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning, as the Eagles loaded the bases with only one out. That was as far as the Eagles would get, however, as the next two batters got out, ending the Eagles’ rally.

Stranding runners was a reoccurring theme for Ashland, as they batted 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position for the game.

Derek Baker got the start on the mound for Ashland. Baker went three and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs and striking out four. 

Luke Smith came into the game in relief of Baker and pitched the remainder of the game. Smith allowed two earned runs and struck out four. 

Next for AU is an away game at West Liberty St. on April 6.