Ashland scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on just one hit as the Eagles rallied for an 11-8 win over Wayne State Wednesday evening in the Wildcats' first game at the RussMatt Invitational baseball tournament in Davenport, Florida.  Ashland is now 7-1 while WSC falls to 8-5.
            The game featured wild innings early and late in the contest.  The first 1 ½ innings saw a combined 11 runs scored and just one run in the next six innings until a wild last inning that saw seven runs scored.
            Wayne State opened the scoring with two in the first without a hit, using three walks and an Ashland error to take the early lead.  Carter Thomas and Chase Douglas both walked and scored on a two-out Ashland error.
            The Eagles countered with a four-run bottom of the first, recording just one hit while taking advantage of two walks, a hit batter and two WSC errors to grab a 4-2 lead.
            The Wildcats posted five runs on five hits in the top of the second for a 7-4 lead.  Colin Lynam started the scoring with a two-run single bringing home Cade Lynam and Thomas (both singled).  Trey Wells followed with an RBI single to left field that scored Chase Douglas (walk) and Quinn McCafferty laced a run-scoring single to center field scoring Colin Lynam.  Wells scored on a wild pitch to close the five-run frame.
            The score stayed 7-4 until Ashland scored once in the fifth to cut the Wildcat lead to 7-5.
            The Eagles then came up with six runs in the eighth inning on just one hit, two Wayne State errors along with three hit batters and a walk to take an 11-7 advantage.
            Wayne State made the game interesting again in the ninth, loading the bases and scoring one run before the Eagles got the final out for a wild 11-8 win.
            Kaden Young had an RBI single in the ninth that drove home Thomas, who had an infield single to lead off the inning.  The 'Cats had the bases loaded and the go-ahead run at the plate but ended the game on a strikeout.
            Wayne State held an 11-6 advantage in hits over Ashland.  Thomas was 3 for 4 with three singles and three runs scored.  Colin Lynam ended 2 for 4 with a pair of RBI and one run scored while McCafferty ended 2 for 4 with an RBI.
            Starting pitcher Corbin Kirk worked the opening four innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on just two hits with six strikeouts and five walks.  Reliever Josh Kilzer fired three innings and gave up just one run on three hits with six strikeouts. 
            Eli Crnkovich suffered the loss (1-2) in 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit and five unearned runs with two strikeouts.  Jacob Kneifl recorded the final out of the game on the mound.
            Wayne State is scheduled to face Davis & Elkins of West Virginia Thursday afternoon at 2:45 p.m. in Auburndale, Florida.