Box Score FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky State University baseball team came up one run short of an impressive comeback on a day that the team honored its outgoing senior class. After trailing, 14-1, heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Thorobreds put 12 runs on the board in the final three innings, but ultimately fell, 14-13, to Asbury on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Thorobreds drop to 13-35 overall while Asbury improves their record to 9-30.
 
Both teams went scoreless in the first three innings of play before Kentucky State struck first.
 
Senior Matt Friere came up big for the Thorobreds in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs and runners on first and third, Friere hit a double into the right field gap to break the scoreless tie, putting KSU on top, 1-0.
 
The Eagles came right back in the top of the fifth to knot things up at 1-1. A leadoff triple from AU third baseman Andrew Moran allowed him to score after a sacrifice fly from catcher Nathan Black.
 
Things came undone for Kentucky State in the top of the sixth inning. Asbury capitalized on a pair of errors and tacked on five runs to take a, 6-1, lead into the bottom of the inning.
 
The Thorobreds defensive struggles continued in the top of the seventh. Several defensive miscues and hot hitting led to eight Eagle runs, putting AU ahead, 14-1, heading into the bottom of the seventh.
 
Kentucky State mounted a comeback in the seventh, putting six runs on the board to cut the AU lead to, 14-7. Key hits by Alexander Davie (2-for-4, 2 runs) and senior Josh O'Reel (1-for-3) fueled the rally.
 
After the offensive outburst in the seventh, a passed ball scored O'Reel from third before a key hit by leadoff hitter Justin Cain scored two more to cut the AU lead to, 14-10.
 
AU relief pitcher Joey Johnson (2-4) was given the victory 2.0 innings on the mound. Johnson allowed two hits and four runs but got plenty of offensive support.
 
Dylan Seago (0-1) was saddled with the loss after entering the game in the top of the sixth. Seago gave up two walks and allowed five runs.
 
NEXT UP
The Thorobreds will get there final regular season tune-up on Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. when they host Kentucky Wesleyan. The team will then head down to Ozark, Alabama for the SIAC Championship Tournament.