The Ashland University baseball team traveled to Florida for its usual spring break trip and brought an 8-3 record back to Ashland. The Eagles opened the trip by playing the No. 10 Minnesota State Mankato.

Right-handed starting pitcher Ajay Meyer started the 2011 campaign off right by earning the season opener, 2-0. Minnesota State came back in the second game, though, winning 4-3. Ashland came out swinging, putting three runs on the board early, but the defense wasn’t there.

Ashland committed seven errors in the two games, six of which were throwing miscues.

The .500 start for the Eagles was not going to fly for long as AU went on a six-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 52-15. Wheeling Jesuit was the only team AU played twice over that span.

March 11 and 12 proved to be tough days for Ashland baseball as the team lost to St. Josephs in ten innings, 4-3, followed by a loss to Stonehill (Mass) by a count of 9-to-5.

The Eagles rebounded by taking care of Southwest Minnesota State in the final game of the Florida trip for Ashland, 7-4.

The Eagles will now take on Bellarmine University at St. Xavier high school this Sunday and Monday.

Bellarmine is 5-6 but currently on a three-game winning streak. After Bellarmine, Northwood will open the GLIAC season against AU as Ashland will host the Timberwolves for four games March 26-27.