WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Two solid efforts by Golden Knight starting pitchers weren't enough Sunday afternoon as the Gannon baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader against Ashland at the Russ-Matt Invitational in Winter Haven, Florida. The Golden Knights fell by scores of 5-2 and 1-0.
In the opener of its Florida trip, Gannon fell behind 4-0 during the bottom of the fourth inning. Ashland scored four times on only two hits thanks to a walk, two hit by pitches and a throwing error.
Gannon cut the deficit in half with a two-spot during the top of the sixth inning.
Aaron Cox (Dorchester, N.J./Millville) drove home
Jared Wiesen (Girard, Ohio/Liberty) with a two-out double. The sophomore then scored on
Zack Ranta's (Hamilton, Ontario/Orchard Park Secondary) two-out, RBI single.
That was as close as Gannon could get. Ashland tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning, before closing out the game with a one-two-three top of the seventh.
Cox dropped to 1-1 on the mound despite his first complete game of the season. He allowed four earned runs on six hits, striking out nine and walking two. Cox also went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI at that plate.
In the nightcap, Ashland scored the contest's only run in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, Nick Edwards was hit by a pitch and stole second base. He then advanced to third base on Wade Kaido's single and scored on an error.
Gannon's best chance to tie the game came during the bottom of the frame. The Golden Knights loaded the bases with one out, but a double play ended the threat. The squad stranded one runner on base during each of the final two innings. In all, Gannon left nine runners on base during the loss.
Matt Wilwohl (Erie, Pa./McDowell) was the tough-luck loser, dropping to 0-1 despite allowing only one unearned run while tossing a complete game. The redshirt sophomore surrendered seven hits, struck out two and walked one.
Sean Sutton (Toronto, Ontario/Brebeuf College) recorded two of Gannon's four hits. Cox and
Taylor Anderson (Niagara Falls, Ontario/A.N. Myer Secondary) chipped in one safety each.
Gannon dropped to 1-3 with Sunday's losses. Ashland improved to 3-1. The Golden Knights will play another doubleheader against the Eagles Monday, March 4. Game time for the Russ-Matt Invitational twinbill is scheduled for 1 p.m.
