With weather permitting, Steve and
senior Brian Cummings had two hits apiece to lead the Saints' offense in the
first contest as Ashford opened with a three-run first inning.
Steve's two-run blast in the top of the eighth inning, his second of the year, broke a 3-3 tie, after Cornell evened the score in the sixth inning.
AU produced eight hits off Cornell starter, Casey Korn (1-2), who hurled an eight-inning complete game.
Freshman Steve Happ (1-0) fanned two in 2 2/3 perfect innings, to record his first career win.
Ashford generated three runs on just three hits in the finale, but the combination of five Saints' errors and 10 runners stranded on base proved pivotal as Ashford's rally fell just short.
Starter Matt King turned in solid effort on the mound, striking out five in four innings while allowing just three hits. Steve and Cummings doubled while sophomore Anthony Misitano contributed an RBI single to lead the Saints.
Junior Nick St. Ores (0-2) was saddled with the tough loss.
Ashford continues its season Wednesday when it heads to Hannibal-LaGrange in Hannibal, Mo., for a 1 p.m. contest.
