By CODY. LINN

Marshall Sports Information

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –Behind 10 runs and five extra-base hits, including homers by Owen Ayers and Jay Kehoe, the Marshall University Baseball team (4-8) captured a 10-2 win over the Bellarmine Knights (1-11) at Jack Cook Field on Wednesday night.

Kehoe’s solo shot in the sixth was his first career hit at Marshall as he finished with three RBI in the game.

“We got some big hits at the right time,” Herd baseball head coach Greg Beals said after the win. “Owen Ayers’ home run was a big one for us. Jay Kehoe’s base hit was bigger than his home run because there were two outs. That’s the difference of whether we score runs or not. Those two-out hits.”

The Herd trailed early, 1-0, after the Knights scored a run in the top of the first. However, in the bottom of the second, the MU bats lit up the scoreboard. After walks to Jack Firestone and Calin Smith, Kebler Peralta doubled them home to give the ‘Green and White’ the lead with one out. One batter later, Tre Hondras smoked a ball to left center to score Peralta on a triple and scored on a wild pitch with two outs.

Then after a two-out free pass issued to Caden Kaiser, Ayers blasted his fourth homer of the season, and first night longball at The Jack, to right field to conclude the six-run inning.

“It was awesome,” Ayers said about hitting the homer under the lights and seeing the stadium’s light show go off for first time at the new ballpark. “We saw it a little bit before the game the started, but to be able to round the bases and have that was a cool experience I’m thankful we have that here.”

Starting pitcher Chad Heiner settled into the game after giving up the early run. The senior right-hander finished his outing with 7.0 innings on the bump, giving up just two runs on five hits and striking out five without walking a Knight.

“Chad was really good. The one thing about Chad is when he’s pitching at the bottom of the strike zone, he can make his fastball/slider combo very effective. Especially when we’re playing defense like we are,” Beals commented about Heiner’s performance.

In the bottom of the sixth, Kehoe sent the first pitch of his at bat over the wall in right for a home run to make it 7-1 Marshall on his first career hit with The Herd.

After an Elijah Vogelsong RBI single earlier in the bottom of the seventh, Kehoe stepped back up to the plate with two outs and a pair in scoring position. The catcher worked the count full and sent the offering through the right side to score Peralta and Smith with a single, completing a three-RBI game for the senior, to make it 10-2.

“Jay works his tail off and has been ready for this opportunity. He certainly took advantage of it,” Beals said about Kehoe’s performance in the win.

Lenny Washington and Eddie Leon shut it down in the eighth and ninth, respectively, throwing a hitless inning each as each allowed just one walk in their respective innings.

Marshall finished the contest 8-for-21 (.381) with runners on-base, including 5-for-13 (.385) with runners in scoring position.

UP NEXT

The Herd is set to begin a three-game series against Southeast Missouri State on Friday at Jack Cook Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

To donate to the Championship Fund for Marshall baseball, please click HERE. All proceeds go directly to the Marshall baseball team.

Par Mar is the presenting sponsor of the 2024 Marshall baseball team. Par Mar is the official convenient store of Marshall Athletics.