CAMANCHE, Iowa - Members of the current Ashford University baseball team took on the program's alumni on Saturday, Sept. 26, in a doubleheader at the confines of Camanche High School. The alumni still showed they had it as a talent-filled roster turned out on a cloudy Saturday.

But as is the growing trend for Ashford alumni athletic events, the turnout has been outstanding to say the least, and the baseball game was no exception.

Whether they were Mount. St. Clare, The Franciscan University or Ashford products, former student-athletes have crawled out of the woodwork to make each alumni event (men's and women's soccer/volleyball) a smashing success.

Still, it was a nostalgic feeling to see recent graduates like Brian Cummings and Jake Steve on the alumni squad. Cummings donned a vintage Mount St. Clare jersey and looked like he didn't miss a beat after his stellar career came to an end earlier in the spring.

There was some friendly bantering back and forth as the alumni were possibly looking for each and every advantage to grab a hold of in pregame warm-ups.

"Why don't we test out third base over there!" one alumni hollered towards current junior Anthony Misitano at the hot corner. "He's got a brick for a glove."

Another alumni provided insightful commentary on Cummings' contributions for the game.

"I think Brian's back is going to hurt because he'll have to carry the team," one player announced."

There were comparisons about throws from the outfield looking like a wobbly ball thrown by (University of Iowa quarterback) Ricky Stanzi. Even some alumni were scrambling for belts to hold up their pants before the first pitch - a sign they've been away from the game too long?

"We absolutely knew coming in that the Alumni were going to be pumped up and very, very good," AU Head Coach John Govek said. "Honestly, we figured it would be our best test of the fall season and we were right."

The Saints got off to a quick start in the first game, racing out to a 4-0 lead after five innings.

Pitchers Billy Becker, Tim Elias, J.D. Fabian and Lucas Beese, put the shackles on the alumni's bats and combined for eight strikeouts and no walks or hits through five innings.

"We pitched well for the first five innings," Govek observed. "I was very happy with the command of our four pitchers today."

The Alumni took advantage of three consecutive walks to start the sixth inning. Leadoff hitter Justyn Friday got the Alumni on the scoreboard with a two-run single. That preceded current sophomore Cameron Puetz's (who suited up for the Alumni) game-tying two-run homer.

Adam Love blasted nine home runs in 2006 and brought back old collegiate memories with a game-winning solo shot. Puetz and Love's back-to-back longballs capped off a five-run sixth inning for the Alumni.

Love's rocket arm was on display from the outfield, gunning a pair of runners down on the infield.

"We had a freshman on the hill that just couldn't command his fastball and got behind in counts," Govek added. "You can't fall behind in the count against players like Adam Love. They will make you pay for it especially against hitters like Love, arguably one of the greatest players to have played at Ashford."

Homewood, Ill., native and lefty Roy Bringelson recorded the win with a complete-game effort for the Alumni.

The former member of the Rockford Riverhawks and most recently with Rochester of the Frontier League tossed seven innings, allowing four runs on 13 hits while striking out five with no free passes issued.

"Roy still has it," Govek said. "He has been the toughest pitcher we've faced this fall. Anytime our hitters get to face a former professional pitcher it's exciting. I was happy we got 13 hits, but we stranded a number of guys on base. I tip my hat to him because he knows how to minimize damage."

Clinton freshman Jared Jones helped the Saints get out to a 3-0 lead in the finale with a solo home run. Jason Grubar of the Alumni closed the gap with a solo home run of his own to make it 3-1.

Puetz hit his second home run of the day for the Alumni to give them a 4-3 lead and didn't look back from there. The Alumni triumphed 10-4.

The Alumni offensive exhibition was highlighted by two-hit efforts from Matt Naftzger, Jake Handzus, Dennis Nemmbers, Brandon Brown, Bob Jost, J.J. Suiter, Love, Cummings and Steve.

"It was a great day for the Ashford baseball program as the current players were able to spend time with the alumni," Govek said. "I think our guys were surprised by the collection of talented players that have gone through this program. Our alumni team was like an all-start team from the past decade (and beyond). It's also a special day for me as I get caught up with the guys that I coached from my first three seasons here. I look forward to next year as our alumni participation continues to grow."

Alumni Roster
Adam Love
Danny Miller
Jason Grubar
Justyn Friday
Aaron Marshall
Brandon Brown
Dennis Nemmers
James Driscoll
Reggie Phillips
Brian Cummings
Jake Steve
J.J. Suiter
Mitch Phillips
Jake Handzus
Matt Naftzger
Tony McCarthy
Tarron Borgeson
Bob Jost
Roy Bringelson