The 2026 season for the Ashland University’s Men’s Baseball Team started in Houston, Texas for a three-game invitation. This invitation was special since the teams competing were able to play in Daikin Park, home to the Houston Astros.  

The Eagles started the season at the same invitation last season by winning two out of their three games. This year, however, they were only able to win one.  

The first game for Ashland, was on Jan. 30 against Arkansas Tech. The Eagles were able to get on the board first, thanks to the bat of sophomore second baseman Colton Hunt with an RBI single to get graduate student outfielder, Chris Franks across home plate.  

After that RBI single, it was all Wonder Boys after that, with the team scoring six straight runs to make it 6-1 heading into the eighth inning. But in the top of the eighth, Ashland was able to score four runs with three of them being RBI walks.  

Even with the Eagles scoring four runs to make it 6-4, Ashland was still looking for some opening day magic. And they were able to get it off the bat of senior outfielder Billy Howard, with a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the ninth inning. 

The final score of the first game for Ashland was a 9-6 victory, looking to keep this momentum heading into the next two days. But that momentum would go away with the team losing those next two games.  

The first loss was a blowout, with Ashland losing 18-6 to Alabama-Huntsville. The Chargers were able to get all their 18 runs without hitting a single homerun, and seven of those runs coming in the top of the ninth inning.  

The second loss for the Eagles came in a 10-2 decision to Central Missouri University. The game got out of hand early on with the Mules scoring six runs in the bottom of the second inning.  

After an opening record of 1-2 in H-town, the Eagles are looking to bounce back in their next series against Frostburg State. Ashland will play a double header Feb. 13 with the first game being playedat 2:00 p.m., in Marietta, OH.