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May 9, 2003 |
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ASHLAND RALLIES PAST NKU, 6-5 |
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Eagles score three times in 10th inning to eliminate NKU |
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ALLENDALE, Mich. - Sara Mathes’ sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning snapped a 5-5 tie Friday and lifted Ashland University to a 6-5 win over Northern Kentucky University in an elimination game of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region Tournament. NKU took a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the 10th after scoring twice in the top of the inning, but a pair of errors led to three unearned runs for Ashland (39-17). Norse starter Krystal Lewallen went the distance and allowed just two earned runs on 10 hits. A run-scoring double by Megan Owens in the top of the 10th inning gave NKU a 4-3 lead, and Crystal Wilson followed with an RBI single to extend the Norse’s advantage to 5-3. Ashland, however, put its first two runners on to begin the bottom of the 10th inning. Ashley Mayle then attempted a sacrifice bunt, but throwing errors by third baseman Heather Cotner and right fielder Shaunta Mitchell on that same play allowed the tying runs to score. The two errors also put Mayle on third base with no outs. Lewallen intentionally walked the next two batters to load the bases, setting the stage for Mathes’ sacrifice fly to center field. NKU finished the season with a 36-17 record. The 36 victories tied a single-season NKU record, which was set a year ago when the Norse finished 36-13 . |