DES MOINES, Iowa - Despite outhitting Grand View University, 13-9, and receiving a boost with three key upperclassmen returning from injuries, Ashford University's baseball team dropped a 15-5 decision on Friday night.
The Saints couldn't put an end to a seven-game slide at Dowling Catholic High School as they fell to 8-24 on the season, 3-15 in Midwest Collegiate Conference play. The Vikings improved to 2-1 against Ashford this season, with all three games played in Des Moines.
Freeport, Ill., natives Jordan Wakeley (CF) and Nick St. Ores (RP) returned to action after missing nearly a month while senior third baseman Brian Cummings completed a comeback just six games removed of suffering a fractured cheekbone against Waldorf College (April 8).
Wakeley had back-to-back doubles in his first at-bats since March 25 when he was plunked in a pinch-hitting role against Clarke College. The junior has been battling effects from a cracked rib and eventually scored after both hits batting from the leadoff spot.
St. Ores, Wakeley's former teammate at Highland Community College, showed brief signs of rust from arm tendinitis that shelved him for over three weeks, yielding three runs in 1 1/3 innings of work.
Cummings recorded two hits to extend his hitting streak to 14 games and became the new league leader in batting average, at .417, moving past Iowa Wesleyan College's Frany Cruz (.413), who went 1-5 tonight against Clarke College.
Senior Jake Steve had three hits and slugged his fourth home run of the year, a solo shot in the fifth inning. Steve also punched a two-run single through the left side of the infield in the third to cut Ashford's deficit to one after a four-run first frame by Grand View.
Grand View posted four runs in three different innings, skewing the final result despite just one Ashford error.
The Vikings managed to score off of five different Saints' pitchers, led by GV outfielder John Most's perfect day at the plate that included a home run and four RBI in three plate appearances.
Ashford plays host to Mt. Mercy College at Alliant Energy Field for a doubleheader on Sunday for Senior Day. The games are slated to start at 6 p.m.
