WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. -- The William Woods University softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader at Williams Baptist University on Saturday.
MacKenzie Bowden (Hartsburg, Mo.) struck out eight and allowed just one walk as she took a 1-3 loss in the opener, with
Kelsey Schulte (Honey Creek, Mo.) taking the 3-8 loss in the second game, although she only allowed two earned runs in the loss.
In the opening game, the Owls opened up the scoring in the first inning, as Schulte hit a two-out single to right. She scored from first as
Caroline Sicht (Columbia, Mo.) reached on an error by the WBC shortstop. The freshman advanced to second as the Eagles made a play on Schulte at the plate, but was stranded as
Macy Wierschem grounded to the pitcher to end the inning.
Williams Baptist answered in its half of the inning, with a two-out single plating Felicia Woodard to even the score at 1-1.
The Owls put runners in scoring position in the top of the third but couldn't push a run across.
Ashley DePew (Highland, Ill.) opened up the inning with a single, with
Lindsey LeCuru (Jefferson City, Mo.) following with a single to left. A sac bunt from
Ilissa Facchini (Tulare, Calif.) moved the runners up, with Schulte reaching on a fielder's choice as a play was made on DePew at the plate. Sicht lined to third to end the inning.
It would come back to haunt the Owls, as WBC scored two runs in the bottom half of the third and held on for the win.
In the second game, the Owls gave up four runs in the top of the first, but were able to grab one back in the bottom half of the inning, as Facchini reached on a one-out walk, eventually scoring on an error by the Eagle shortstop.
William Woods would also give up four runs in the top of the third, driven by two errors. The Owls attempted to respond in the bottom half of the frame, but left the bases loaded as Facchini struck out to end the inning after the Owls had scored just one run.
A solo shot from LeCuru in the bottom of the seventh would be scant consolation for the Owls. WWU moves to 18-11 on the year, with a 4-2 record in AMC action. The Owls continue the road swing on Tuesday, traveling to Harris-Stowe State University. The doubleheader is set for a 2 p.m. start.
