NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. — Asbury baseball (3-3, 0-0 CCS) erupted for 20 runs and pounded out 25 combined hits on the day, but Capital University (3-0, 0-0 OAC) held off multiple Eagle rallies to sweep Saturday's doubleheader, 20-14 and 9-6 and complete the series sweep.
Game One | CAPITAL 20, ASBURY 14
Capital scored in eight of nine innings and slugged seven home runs as part of a 19-hit attack, using a six-run eighth and four-run ninth to finally create separation. Asbury answered nearly every surge, finishing with 14 runs on 17 hits and rallying with a four-run seventh and five-run eighth to pull within a run before Capital's final push in the ninth.
The Eagles were led by a standout performance from Andrew Billington, who went 4-for-6 with five RBIs, a double and a stolen base, driving in runs in the second, eighth and ninth innings. Billington's RBI single capped a three-run second that briefly put Asbury in front 3-1, and his two-run double down the left-field line in the eighth sparked the Eagles' biggest comeback effort of the day. Josh McNulty added two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored, playing a central role in Asbury's late push.
The Eagles stayed within striking distance but trailed 10-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh, when Avery Hare delivered one of the game's biggest swings for Asbury. Hare launched an unearned three-run home run as part of a four-run frame that cut the deficit to 10-8.
Capital answered in the top of the eighth with another eruption, scoring six times, highlighted by a three-run homer from Robby Harrison and a bases-loaded walk to Charlie Colson. Kielan LaMarr added a two-run single later in the inning to extend the margin to 16-8.
Asbury refused to go away, mounting a five-run rally in the bottom of the eighth. Billington's two-run double ignited the surge, and McNulty followed with an RBI double to bring the Eagles closer.
Capital finally put the game out of reach in the top of the ninth. Pinch-hitter Trent Clark delivered a three-run home run, and Mike Andryszcz followed with an RBI double to left to make it 20-13. Asbury added one last run in the bottom half on Billington's RBI single, his fifth run driven in, but the Eagles could not extend the rally further.
Capital finished with 20 runs, 19 hits and nine walks, while Asbury posted 14 runs on 17 hits and committed just one error.
Game Two | CAPITAL 9, ASBURY 6
Trailing 8-2 in the bottom of the eighth, Asbury battled back with a four-run frame to bring the tying run to the plate and energize the home crowd. Brode Dixon delivered the biggest swing of the inning with a two-run single, and Hank Burns followed with an RBI single as the Eagles chipped away. Another run scored on a wild pitch, cutting the deficit to 8-6 and forcing Capital to turn to the bullpen to protect the lead.
Capital answered in the top of the ninth, pushing across a key insurance run on an RBI single to right by Bryce Kyees to make it 9-6. The Capital bullpen then closed the door on the Eagles, working the final two innings without allowing a hit. Stitt struck out three and walked one over two scoreless innings to earn the save, stranding Asbury's late momentum and sealing the result.
The Eagles had set the tone early, striking first in the bottom of the second. The Eagles capitalized on baserunners and a timely swing from Ben Krza, who doubled to right field to drive in Avery Hare and help build a 2-0 lead.
Capital's offense responded quickly in the third and never trailed again. Hutch Crociata put Capital on the board with a solo home run to left to open the top of the third, and Mike Andryszcz followed later in the inning with a two-run homer to left-center as part of a three-run frame that flipped the score to 3-2.
Capital steadily added on, getting an RBI single from Robby Harrison in the sixth to extend the lead to 4-2. The decisive separation came in the top of the eighth when the Comets plated four runs, to seal the series sweep.
AU will ahead to next weekend where they host Manchester University in Wilmore, Ky. On February 20th at 4 PM.
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Andrew Billington | 4-9, 1 R, 5 RBI
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Avery Hare | 3-9, 3 R, 3 RBI, HR
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Josh McNulty | 3-9, 2 R, 1 RBI
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Hayden Fisher | 2-5, R
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Hank Burns | 4-7, 3 R, 2 BB
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Brode Dixon | 1-2, 2 R, 2 RBI
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Levi Rogers | 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 K
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Devin Walker | 5 IP, 5 K, 3 ER
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