Logan Thomason and Charlie Ludwick hit home runs in the first inning to give the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team a 3-2 lead, but the Colonels couldn’t hold off the University of North Carolina Asheville late in the game, falling 9-5.
The Bulldogs broke a 4-4 tie with two runs in the eighth and two in the ninth to clinch the victory. Robbie Burnett had a big day at the plate for UNC Asheville, going 2-for-4 with a run and three RBIs.
Thomason finished 1-for-3 with two walks, a run, and two RBIs, while Ludwick was 1-for-3 with a walk, a run, and two RBIs. Miguel Larreal also had a solid outing for the Colonels, going 2-for-3 and scoring a run.
After UNC Asheville took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, the Colonels responded in the bottom half of the inning with Thomason’s solo shot over the wall in right-center. Roderick Criss II followed with a single, and Ludwick hit a two-run shot over the wall in left-center, giving EKU a 3-2 lead.
UNC Asheville scored two more runs in the top of the third to retake the lead, but Thomason’s ground ball in the bottom half of the inning was enough to score DJ Sullivan and tie the game.
Jalen Jones gave EKU a brief lead with a sacrifice fly in the fourth, but Burnett’s solo home run in the sixth tied the game again for UNC Asheville.
The Colonels loaded the bases in the sixth and seventh innings but failed to convert any runs.
The loss drops EKU’s record to 4-4 on the season. The team will be back in action on Tuesday against No. 5 Louisville, with the game scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Despite the loss, the Colonels will be looking to build on their strong start to the season and continue to improve as they move forward.
