WILMORE, Ky. --- Asbury softball hosted a doubleheader against unfamiliar opponent Manchester University. Despite the Eagles' effort in their competitions against the Spartans, they were unable to contest the skill of Manchester and lost game one 5-2, and dropped game two 9-2.

Taylor Sanders grabbed six hits from eight at-bats on the day for the Eagles, with four hits in game one and two in game two. Sanders also recorded two RBI's in game two.

Kyla Bell was another force for the Eagles grabbing two hits from four at-bats in game one and a run in game two. Kaitlyn Wilson and Isabel Rochemont were the two scorers for AU in game one.

Karly Fetter saw the plate three times and grabbed two hits in game two.

Game One: 

In game one Asbury and Manchester had a quick inning to start the game, with only one hit recorded by the Eagles in the first.

At the top of the second inning, the Spartans hit a single down the middle to bring one runner home to set the score 1-0.
In the bottom of the second, AU unable to respond, remaining scoreless.

In the third, Manchester became more aggressive, bringing home another run, this time off of a double.
The Eagles matched the Spartans with one run in the end of the third, bringing Isabel Rochemont home on a wild pitch.

The Spartans continued to press at the top of the fourth. With two outs, they still managed to grab two additional runs on the inning before AU's shortstop, Taylor Enlow, snagged a quick line drive to seal off the end of the inning.
Asbury managed to tally two hits in the bottom of fourth inning, but were unable to finish through, leaving two on base.

Manchester tallied yet another run on the top of the fifth inning, bringing a runner home on a double hit to centerfield.
At the bottom of the fifth, the Eagles tried to answer by loading their bases, but went into the top of the sixth inning leaving the bases filled.

The sixth inning was another short one for both teams, with Asbury recording one hit and the Spartans earning zero hits.

In the top of the final inning, starting pitcher Emma Strunk remained poised on the mound, and AU's defense held Manchester from scoring again.
At the bottom of the inning, the Eagles managed to find their way on base, and loaded their bases for the third time this game.
Despite another ideal situation with the bases loaded, Asbury was unable to capitalize in a substantial way, but still succeeded in bringing home one more runner for the game, sealing their loss for the first game of the series, falling 5-2.

This sent the Eagles into Game Two with a record of 1-8.

Game Two: 

The Eagles went into game two looking to capitalize on their slight momentum from game one against the Spartans. Despite a massive double from MU in the top of the first, the Eagles held them to zero runs in the first and entered the bottom ready to bring people home.
 
Kyla Bell helped the Eagles get the ball rolling with a single to right field to get AU a runner on base with just one out. Power hitter Taylor Enlow came up to the plate and smacked one behind Manchester's right fielder for a huge double to advance Bell to third to put two runners in scoring position for AU.
 
Taylor Sanders drove a ball through the middle to put her on first and bring Bell home for AU's first run of the game. AU could not find another run for the inning and ended the first up 1-0.
 
Manchester retaliated hard in the top of the second by scoring six runs and making it a 6-1 ball game going into the bottom of the second.
 
Asbury was able to find a little more momentum in the bottom of the third with help from Taylor Enlow and Taylor Sanders. After Enlow reached first off an error, Sanders hit a stand-up double to bring Enlow home, making it an 6-2 ball game.
 
The Spartans quickly responded with two more runs in the top of the fourth making it an 8-2 game.

The game stayed at a stalemate until the top of the seventh when the Spartans grabbed one more run to make it a 9-2 game. The Eagles were unable to find any momentum in the bottom of the seventh and fell to Manchester.
 
Despite an unfortunate outcome, Josie Deatherage took the mound for AU today and grabbed six strikeouts from 30 at-bats. 

The Eagles now hold a record of 1-9. 


* G1: AU recorded 11 H
* G2: AU recorded 8 H


* G1: Taylor Sanders | 4-4
* G1: Taylor Enlow | 1 RBI
* G1: Kaylee Strunk | 120 P, 2 K's
* G2: Taylor Sanders | 2-4, 2 RBI
* G2: Karly Fetter | 2-3
* G2: Josie Deatherage | 131 P, 6 K's

On Friday, March 3, the Eagles will host Midway University at 3pm, followed by a second game at 5pm.