KANSAS CITY, Mo. --- The Asbury baseball team (29-16) met Kansas Christian College (34-17) for the second time in two days, this time in an elimination game to move on in the NCCAA World Series. Asbury couldn't get their offense clicking and Kansas Christian scored enough that gave them the victory over AU, 3-7. 

Holten Handel, the sophomore right-hander got the ball for AU and provided a solid start. Handel was through 4.0 innings with no runs allowed and only 2 hits before Kansas Christian scored 3 in the 5th. Noah Brown came on to add 2.0 innings of work with a strikeout and 1 run allowed.

Nate McClellan followed and pitched 2.0 innings with 3 strikeouts, but Kansas Christian scratched 3 runs while he was in the game. Bryce Barber pitched the top of the 9th with 3 straight outs including a strikeout.

Neither team scored in this game throughout the first 3 innings, but Colton Perkins gave AU the lead in the 4th on a 2 RBI single to center field that scored Parker Burge and Nathaniel Frank (2-0 AU). Kansas Christian answered right back in the top of the 5th with 3 hits and 3 runs in the inning that gave them the 3-2 lead.

Asbury struggled to their offense in stride throughout this game as Kansas Christian's Stults pitched an extremely solid complete game. Kansas Christian's offense scratched another run in the 6th on a two-out RBI single, extending their lead to 4-2.

KCC added extra insurance in the 8th with 3 hits to score 3 runs, making it 7-2. AU continued to fight as Walker Paris led off the 8th with a double and scored on a Parker Burge fielder's choice (3-7 KCC). AU scored another in the bottom of the 9th on a Jackson Cole RBI double, but that would be all as they would fall to Kansas Christian to conclude their 2022 season. 

AU finishes the 2022 season with an impressive 29 wins, a Mideast Region NCCAA championship, and a win in the NCCAA World Series. Walker Paris was named to the NCCAA World Series All-Tournament team after the game. Paris also broke 2 of his own previously held Asbury records in a season for average (.481) and hits (87).

* Holten Handel pitched the first 4 innings with only 2 hits allowed and no runs

* Jackson Cole and Nathaniel Frank each had 2 hits in the game, Colton Perkins led the Eagles with 2 RBIs

* AU's defense committed 4 errors in the game 

* Walker Paris broke 2 of his own previously set AU school records with season average (.481) and hits (87). 

"Today was a really hard day for our team, losing two games and being knocked out of the NCCAA World Series. It hurts, but we are still so proud of this group of men and what they have accomplished this season. This is an extremely special group that has represented Asbury University and God well throughout this entire season. Unfortunately, today was not our day but we are still extremely thankful for this year. These seniors have given a ton to this program and we are grateful for them. We believe the players we have will keep this program moving forward."

     * Assistant Coach, Colton Back

*The photo for this recap is courtesy of Southwestern Christian University Sports Information Director Chase Schlebach. Thank you Chase!