DAYTON, Ohio. – Every Colonel position player recorded a hit Tuesday afternoon as the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team rolled past the University of Dayton, 10-4. With the win, the Colonels improve to 24-26-1 on the season, while the Flyers of Dayton drop to 29-24.
EKU took an early lead in the first when junior Aaron Barrows led off the game with a triple and was brought home on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Anthony Ottrando.
The Colonels went ahead 3-0 in the third on a two out, bases loaded single through the right side by junior Tyler Rehmel.
The Flyers got one run back in their half of the third, and then took the lead with three runs in the fourth. In the top of the sixth, however, freshman Ryan Faidley came through in a clutch RBI situation, driving a groundball past the Dayton second baseman to score senior Clint Seymour and tie the score. Barrows then doubled into the gap in left center to plate senior Joe Oliver and Faidley. The next batter, Ottrando, powered a single to right that scored Barrows from second and put the Colonels up 7-4.
The Colonels got another run in the seventh off a sacrifice fly to center by Oliver, and pushed their lead to five in the eighth when Ottrando laced a single up the middle, scoring Faidley. EKU finished its scoring for the day with a sacrifice fly from senior Tyler Barnett in the ninth that made it 10-4.
The Colonels got solid pitching contributions from a host of players. Freshman Michael Martinez started the game and pitched three innings, allowing just one run on two hits. Freshman Matt Fyffe pitched the third and allowed three runs on four hits. The next four Colonel pitchers held the Flyers scoreless through the last five innings. Junior Eric Hash (3-3) got the win, pitching two innings and allowing no runs on two hits. Sophomore Chris Hord pitched an inning and a third, giving up no runs on one hit. Senior Michael Mulholland pitched a perfect eighth, while sophomore Jim Clancy closed things down in the ninth without allowing a hit or a run.
Dayton starter Jake Hoover (3-1) received the loss, pitching eight innings and allowing five runs on eight hits.
The Colonels were balanced at the plate. Barrows went 2-for-5 with two RBI and three runs scored. Ottrando batted 2-for-3 with three RBI. Rehmel went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored, and Faidley hit 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
The Colonels return to action this weekend when they host Eastern Illinois in an important conference series. First pitch on Friday is set for 1:00 p.m.
