WILMORE, Ky. --- The Asbury baseball team hosted Wilmington College on Saturday afternoon for game one in the three-game series. Despite Wilmington taking an early 5-0 lead, AU battled all the way back to walk it off in the bottom of the 9th, 7-6. 

Walker Paris got the start for AU, allowing 5 early runs to Wilmington but then settled right in to provide a solid outing. Wilmington came out swinging with 2 runs in the first on three hits, and then 3 runs in the 3rd on three hits. From this point on Paris allowed only 1 hit and no runs, going 7.0 innings.

Tanner McKee got through the 8th only allowing one run. Holten Handel got the ball in the 9th getting three big outs for Asbury, holding Wilmington at 6. Handel would end up getting the win in the game, grabbing his third win of the season. 

After Wilmington scored their 5th run, AU's offense came alive to start chipping away at the deficit. Kaden Dugle hit a solo shot in the third, his second consecutive game with a home run. 

A sac fly from Matthew Baker in the 5th and Parker Burge in the 6th scored 2 more runs to bring the score to 5-3. In the 7th Walker Paris led off the inning with an opposite field bomb. Later in the inning Cam Weaver laid down a squeeze bunt to score Kaiden Zacharias, tying the game at 5-5. 

In the bottom of the 9th it was Matthew Johnson coming to the plate for AU with the bases loaded, and the score 6-6. Johnson hit a fly ball to right field that was deep enough to score his teammate Jackson Cole for the game winning run. The Eagles have now won four in a row and move to 13-6 on the season. 

* Walker Paris went 3-5 at the plate with a home run and 2 runs scored. Paris also pitched 7.0 innings, allowing 1 hit in his final 4 innings of work (Paris is on an 11 game hitting streak, and has now hit 6 home runs)

* Kaden Dugle hit a home run in his second game in a row

* Holten Handel got three key outs for Asbury in the 9th inning, receiving his third win of the season

* Jackson Cole was 1-2 with 3 walks, being on base 4 out of 5 plate appearances. (Cole scored the game winning run)

* Asbury only allowed one run to Wilmington after their 5 runs in the first three innings

* AU's offense managed to work 7 walks

* Despite one throwing error, the defense from Asbury was flawless holding Wilmington off for their comeback win

"They came out hot in the beginning of the game. We were able to settle the storm, stay confident and keep chipping away to get the victory."

     * Senior Pitcher, Walker Paris

Asbury and Wilmington will play a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 1 PM to complete the series