A walk-off-two-run homer by Mackenzie Hampshire wins the game for the Eagles in extra innings.

The Ashland University baseball team faced the Northwood Timberwolves at their home opener dominating on Sunday afternoon 4-2.

It was a very cold opening weekend for America’s favorite pass time.

This was the third game of the Eagle’s series with Northwood.  The Eagles are currently 2-1 for the weekend.

Head coach John Schaly said the team’s game play is to continue to stay consistent throughout the rest of the series with Northwood and hopefully finish the series 3-1. 

“We’ve got to play sound,” said Schaly. “We have to focus on defense, hopefully the pitches keep throwing strikes and our bats are coming around and we are hitting where I know we are capable.”

Senior pitcher Vince Frate made his third start of the year for the Eagles.

Frate had to pull his team out of a jam right away in the top of the first inning as senior second basemen Stephen James missed what could have been a double play allowing runners on first and second.  

The Timberwolves were unable to pull out a run in the top of the first.

Leader for the team in RBIs and triples, James hits a single, later scoring for the Eagles off a ground ball single from junior Blake Bellman. 

The Eagles lead the game 1-0 at the top of the second.

A double play by the Eagles leads the team into the bottom of the second inning. A ground ball hit to third basemen Bellman was thrown to take out the runners at first and second.

Heading into the bottom of the third inning the Eagles still maintain the 1-0 lead.

A groundball to four took lead batter James out, although Joey Gonzalez was able to make it to first.

Junior first basemen Mackenzie Hampshire came up to the plate hitting a pop-up to the wall in right field.  Northwood outfielder Nick Barrientos made an attempt, but failed to make the catch.  

Hampshire drove in Gonzalez to give AU a 2-0 lead going into the fourth.

Northwood’s Daniel Pulver hit a ground ball to four and was initially called out, but after a rebuttal by the Timberwolves’s third base coach, the call was revoked and Pulver got to remain on first.

There was a full count for Frate with two outs on the board at the top of the fourth inning. Frate pulls it out pitching the third strike to bring the Eagles back up to bat.

Despite a strong top of the inning, the Eagles were not so lucky in the bottom. The Timberwolves got a quick three outs and returned to their dug out.

Northwood senior Nate Boschma hit a line drive past third base allowing the runner on third to make it home easily while Boschma was able to slide into second.

Boschma stole second and made it home after a hit by Northwood.  

The score is 2-2 with two outs on the board at the top of the fifth.

The Eagles took a mound visit after Frate allowed three hits from the last three batters.  Brandyn Sittinger is warming up in the bull-pen.

The timeout for Frate was worthwhile, for he was able to strike out the next hitter brining the Eagles back to the dugout.

The score is 2-2 at the bottom of the fifth.

Two base hits allow Gonzalez and Hampshire to remain on first and second.

Despite having two base runners, Bellman was not able to pull out a run, getting the third out.

Frate is still on the mound against the Timberwolves’s lineup at the top of the sixth.

He was able to strike out the first batter, although allowed a hit from next on Northwood’s batting order.  Pulver hit right over shortstop Austin Waltz who made error, dropping the ball after losing it in the sun.

With one out in the top of the sixth, Frate leaves the mound after complaining of a wrist injury.  

Coming up to the mound is relief pitcher Brandyn Sittinger who enters the inning with one out and a 3-2 count.

“That was a big out,” said Scahly. “Brandyn came in, made the big pitch and got us out of the jam.  That was so big for us.”

Sittinger comes through throwing the third strike putting up two outs on the board.

Ashland is able to escape the top of the sixth with no runs allowed.

Kyle Brooks opens the bottom of the inning with a line drive hit to left field.  The momentous start was brought to a halt after designated hitter Steve Mowry hits a ground ball to second allowing the Timberwolves to make the double play.

Heading into the top of the seventh inning, the Eagles hope to pull away from the 2-2 score.

Sittenger walked the first batter in inning seven, throwing four balls in a row.

The Eagles were able to escape the inning unscathed.  The score is still 2-2 in the bottom of the last inning of the game.

With the score remaining a tie, the Eagles go into extra innings.

Northwood was unable to make a run when they were up at bat, but it was a different story for the Eagles.

The bottom of the eighth opened up with Gonzalez hitting a line drive to the right field allowing him to make it to first.  

Up next to bat was Hampshire who hit two-run homer off Northwood’s very first pitch getting the Eagles a victory over the Timberwolves 4-2.

“It was pretty exciting,” said Hampshire. “I wasn’t expecting to get mobbed at home plate, but it is always exciting to get the win.”

Schaly said the combination of the pitching staff and strong hits is what led the Eagles to be so victorious. 

“We had two great pitching performances,” said Schaly. “They both pitched very well and our hitters returned the favor with some big hits at the end of the game.”

The Eagles will continue their series with the Timberwolves playing their final game at 4pm.