On a day in which the Ashland Eagles honored their four seniors, AU was able to clinch the number one seed in the GLIAC tournament with a 7-4 win on senior day over the Wayne State Warriors in game two of their doubleheader Sunday afternoon.

The Eagles struck first in game two, when Mackenzie Hampshire blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning, giving the Eagles a 2-0 lead.  Hampshire’s two-run blast was the second time on the day that the Eagles were off to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, after the Eagles lost game one.

“The first one was a tough loss, tough way to lose, but the guys battled back,” said AU manager John Schaly. “But the big home run by Mackenzie is what got us going.”

The Eagles were able to take a 4-0 lead into the fifth inning, after freshman catcher Miles Stevens filled in for the injured catcher Adam Vasil. Stevens, who came into the game without a hit on the season, went two for three with a RBI.

The Eagles fourth run of the game came after the junior designated hitter Blake Bellman launched a solo home run of his own in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Wayne State struggled to find runs early but finally answered in the fifth inning when the Warriors left fielder Cole Clifton scored off a perfectly-placed bunt that was laid down by freshman catcher Josh Arndt.

The Eagles answered the one Wayne State run when senior shortstop Austin Walts doubled to right field, scoring another AU senior Kyle Brooks.

Wayne State third baseman, Nathan Manis, helped spark a Wayne State rally in the bottom of the seventh when he picked up an RBI after Clifton scored his second run of the game.

The Eagles failed to answer in the bottom of the seventh, giving the Warriors momentum heading into the eighth inning.  This time, it was Wayne State first baseman Kyle Zimmerman, who hit a two-run home run, narrowing the AU lead to just one run, 5-4.

However, that was all the runs Wayne State would score when pinch hitter Steve Mowry hit the Eagles third home run of the game, giving Ashland a 7-4 victory over the Warriors.

“That was a big hit, giving us those two insurance runs,” said Schally.  “Steve’s had a good year for us.  He can hit.  He can swing the bat.”

Four different pitchers made their way to the mound for Wayne State in game two of the doubleheader.  It was the day’s starting pitcher, junior Alex Kinch, who picked up the loss for Wayne State, after he gave up four runs on five hits over four innings pitched.    

Senior pitcher Vince Frate picked up the win for AU, striking out five  and giving up three runs on six hits over seven innings.

“Vince threw a great game, which is nice for a senior on senior day,” said Schaly.  “He was in command, mixing pitches, keeping the hitter off timing, and really threw a great ball game for us.”

After today’s win, the Eagles will likely host this same Wayne State team in the first round of the GLIAC tournament.  AU starts tournament play Thursday in Xenia, Ohio.