WILMORE, Ky. — Despite a dominant career-outing from junior Ryan Yates, Asbury (5-6, 0-0 CCS) came up just short in a 1-0 pitchers' duel against Muskingum University (1-3, 0-0 OAC) on Friday afternoon at Cecil Zweifel Field.

The Eagles carried a scoreless tie into the ninth inning before the visitors scratched across the lone run of the contest. A lead-off single in the final frame eventually set up a two-out RBI double to right field, proving to be the difference in an otherwise evenly played battle.

Asbury's story of the day began with Yates. The junior right-hander was electric, tossing eight strong innings while allowing just one run on five hits and striking out nine over 101 pitches. The nine strikeouts were a career-high for Yates.

He worked out of multiple high-pressure situations, including a bases-loaded jam with no outs in the third inning. Yates and the Eagle defense responded, retiring the next three batters to keep the game scoreless and swing momentum back to the home dugout.

Another key defensive stand came in the seventh. After a leadoff double and a sacrifice bunt moved the potential go-ahead run to third, Yates, stranded the runner to preserve the 0-0 tie.

Offensively, the Eagles battled against a tough Muskingum pitching staff that combined for 16 strikeouts. Asbury's best opportunity came in the bottom of the fourth inning when Edison Burke laced a double to right field, the Eagles' lone extra-base hit of the afternoon.

Burke recorded the two lone hits on the day for AU, including his fifth double of the season.

Muskingum's Jake Valentine threw six scoreless innings before turning it over to reliever Max Vosters, who closed out the final three frames.