Baseball Splits Doubleheader Versus Ashland

MIDLAND, MICH. - The Northwood University baseball team split a doubleheader against Ashland Saturday afternoon (April 12). Ashland took game one 10-3 before Northwood won game two 8-1 in six rain-shortened innings.

Ashland took control of game one right away, scoring one in the first, three in the second and five in the third to go up 9-1. Northwood's lone run in that stretch came in the second inning on an RBI groundout by Anthony DiPaolo (Northville, Mich./Divine Child) that scored Travis Smith (Clare, Mich.). NU plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut into the lead thanks to RBI singles by Larsen Cronkright (Midland, Mich./Kellogg CC) and Tyler Beatty (Clare, Mich.), but 9-3 is as close as Northwood got the rest of the way.

Justin Zyvon (Sterling Heights, Mich./Macomb CC) and Beatty finished with two hits each to lead the way for Northwood, which finished the game with five hits overall.

In game two, Northwood got on the board in the second inning thanks to a double by Eric Cotton (Troy, Mich./Jackson CC) followed by a throwing error by Ashland. The Eagles tied the game in the third inning, but Northwood put together a big fourth inning to take control of the game. NU plated seven runs in the inning on five hits and three walks. The big hits of the inning proved to be a two-run triple by Beatty, an RBI double by Wayne Moak (Marysville, Mich.) and a two-run single by Cronkright.

Starting pitcher Steven Latos (Lloydminster, Alberta/Thompson Rivers U.) threw well for Northwood in the game. He allowed four hits while striking out three in six innings of work.

Northwood had runners on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning when a thunderstorm began. Heavy rains overnight made the field unplayable for play today.

The Timberwolves will travel to Hillsdale for a single game Wednesday (April 16). First pitch is set for 2 p.m.