Baseball News

Centre baseball rallies for 6-4 win over Asbury

Trailing 4-0 after one inning of play, the Centre College baseball team chipped away tying the game in the seventh inning and then going ahead in the eighth on its way to a 6-4 win over Asbury College Thursday, Feb. 28 at Gary Wright Field in Danville, Ky.

With the win, the Colonels start the season 3-0 for the second consecutive season, while Asbury falls to 1-3 in the early going.

The Eagles opened the scoring right away. After senior pitcher John Herbert (Louisville, Ky.) hit the first batter of the game, he then allowed a single, a walk, a double and another single to the next four hitters to plate three runs. Asbury added another run in the inning and the Eagles led 4-0 after the first.

Centre squandered scoring opportunities in the second and third, but broke through in the fourth when sophomore shortstop Steven Kull (Frankfort, Ky.) doubled off the right field wall to score sophomore first baseman Justin Basham (Bowling Green, Ky.) to cut the lead to 4-1.

The Colonels were back at it in the fifth scoring two more runs on a two-run single by junior second baseman Ryan Smith (Crestwood, Ky.) to make the score 4-3.

Following a scoreless sixth inning, senior catcher Kevin McGee (Louisville, Ky.) tallied a one-out single. After moving to second on a ground out, Kull came through again, this time with a two-out run-scoring single to plate McGee and tie the game at four apiece.

Sophomore pitcher Aaron Herbert (Louisville, Ky.) relieved his brother and posted a scoreless top of the eighth. Senior outfielder Ben Jeffers (New Albany, Ohio) reached base on an error to lead off the bottom of the inning. Junior third baseman Jake Jones (Griffin, Ga.) then singled to give Centre runners at first and second. A wild pitch moved both runners up a base and then freshman Steven Proctor (Springfield, Ga.) pinch hit and recorded his first career hit, a run-scoring single to give Centre a 5-4 lead.

Junior outfielder Brandon Rosen (Ashland, Ky.) then followed with a single up the middle through a drawn-in infield and the Colonels took a 6-4 lead. Herbert tallied a one-two-three inning in the ninth as Centre finished with its third win in as many tries.

Aaron Herbert picked up the win to improve to 2-0 on the season. Herbert did not allow a hit or run in working the final two innings of the game. After a shaky first inning, his brother John settled down to throw seven innings. He allowed six hits and three earned runs while striking out a career-high 13.

Kull was the only Colonel to finish with multiple hits. He ended the game two for two with two runs driven, a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Six different players scored a run, while Smith drove in two.

Gardner Adams suffered the loss for Asbury throwing two and a thirds allowing three runs - two earned - on four hits. He struck out three and walked one.

Right fielder Evan Thomsen was the lone Eagle to finish with multiple hits. Thomsen was two for four with a run scored and another driven in.

Centre will return to action Friday, Feb. 29 with a doubleheader against Bethel (Ind.). First pitch of the twin-bill is set for 5 p.m. at Gary Wright Field in Danville, Ky.