FULTON, Mo. -- The William Woods University baseball team picked up a split in the Sunday afternoon doubleheader against Ashford and guaranteed a minimum of a split in the series. The Owls posted a 2-1 win in the first game of the day before falling 5-8 in the nightcap. Matt Thomas (Brashear, Mo.) recorded his second save of the season and also drove in a run in the first game for WWU.

The first game started out as a defensive duel, with neither team able to score through the first four innings. Ashford threatened in both the second, loading the bases. William Woods was able to get out of the danger as Adam Brush (Ashland, Mo.) was able to get Ryan Fraley out on a weak hit up the middle, flipping to Derek McCawley (Phoenix, Ariz.) to close the inning.

The Owls opened the scoring in the bottom of the fifth, as Jordan Thompson (Desloge, Mo.) came on as a pinch runner for WWU. Following a Derek Fletcher (Moberly, Mo.) single to right, the junior charged around third and beat the throw for a 1-0 lead.

An outstanding play by Blake Wilson (Cairo, Mo.) preserved the WWU lead in the top of the sixth. The senior was able to elevate and snag a rocket from Damil Reyes that was a certain double.

The Owls would extend their lead in the bottom half of the inning, as Thomas drove in Brian Carr (Phoenix, Ariz.) with a sacrifice to right. Carr had opened the inning with a single through the hole at second, with McCawley doubling Carr over to third.

WWU would allow Ashford to pull one back in the top of the seventh, but Thomas was able to close out the game, retiring the final two Saints batters on a line drove to left and a fly to center to pick up his second save on the year.

In the second game, runs were much easier to come by than in the first two of the series, with WWU opening a 4-1 lead in the fifth. Ashland was able to respond in the top of the sixth with five runs, adding two more in the seventh.

The Owls were able to score a run in the bottom of the seventh but the comeback effort would fall short. Andrew Pointer (Taos, Mo.) took the loss for WWU in the game.

The teams will wrap up the series on Monday with a single nine-inning game. First pitch is slated for noon.