Ashford Baseball: Baseball Falls in Third One-Run Game in Three Days

By Chris Shaw, Ashford Sports Information Director

FULTON, Mo. -- The Saints returned to Owls Field for the third consecutive day on Monday to close out a four-game set with William Woods University. Ashford hit the scoreboard first, but would only draw three more hits following the second inning as AU dropped a 4-3 decision to the Owls.

The loss drops AU's record to 1-3 in the early portion of the 2012 season while William Woods improves to 4-2.

Following the scoreless first, the Saints plated two runs on three hits in the top half of the second inning to take an early 2-0 lead. Center fielder Gary Mayberry opened the inning with a single to right center before stealing second base with Caracas, Venezuela-native Rafael Ordaz in the batter's box. Ordaz then singled up the middle to score Mayberry before becoming the game's second run when designated hitter Tomas Chardon knocked a two-out single up the middle.

The Owls got a run back in their half of the second, and scored two more in the third to grab the lead, 3-2.

Ashford notched a hit in the fourth and fifth innings and would only tally one more hit throughout the rest of the contest. The home team scratched across a run in the bottom of the sixth before the Saints rallied with a run in the top of the seventh.

Shortstop R.J. Roberts smacked a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring sophomore Ryan Fraley from third to pull the visitors back within a run, 4-3.

However, the Saints would fail to plate runners in the eighth and ninth innings as AU fell in the final game of the four game set.

Senior righty Tim Elias was saddled with the loss after tossing four innings of seven hit ball. The Grayslake, Ill.-native struck out five while allowing three earned runs.

The Saints were outhit 10-6 while stranding seven runners to ten for the Owls.

Ashford visits Jacksonville, Ill. next weekend when they play a four-game set with the Saints of Holy Cross College. The first pitch of Saturday's (Feb. 25) doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m.