FULTON, Mo. -- Despite opening up a two-run lead in the bottom of the third, the William Woods University softball team couldn't hang on for the win, falling 3-2 to Park University.
MacKenzie Bowden (Hartsburg, Mo.) took the loss for the Owls, who finish the season with a 31-19 record.
The game opened up as a defensive battle, as each team was held to just one baserunner in the first inning and retired in order in the second.
After setting the Pirates down in order in the top of the third, William Woods opened the scoring in the bottom of the frame.
Whitney Eufinger (St. Charles, Mo.) looped a one-out single over the shortstop, with
Ashley DePew (Highland, Ill.) slapping a two-out roller to short. Eufinger's quick jump left no play on her at second as the speedy DePew beat out the throw at first.
Ilissa Facchini (Tulare, Calif.) put the Owls on the board, ripping a single to short that scored Eufinger with ease. DePew was also able to cross the plate as the Park centerfielder's throw to home was off the mark, caroming to the backstop and allowing Facchini to move to second.
Caroline Sicht (Columbia, Mo.) wasn't able to prolong the scoring rally, however, hitting a pop up into a strong gust of wind that settled into the glove of the Pirate second baseman.
The Owls threatened again in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases as walks to
Sam Parsons (Hallsville, Mo.) and Eufinger wrapped around a single from
Kacey Scharnhorst (St. Peters, Mo.) to put WWU in great position with two outs. Unfortunately, Schulte wasn't able to push another run across for the Owls as she flew out to left to end the inning.
WWU also put a pair of runners aboard in the bottom of the fifth, but Kaily Purtle came on in relief for Park and was able to work out of the inning, getting
Kristy Pluchinski (Wright City, Mo.) to ground over to shortstop - the senior reached on a fielder's choice as Facchini was forced out at third - before striking out Parsons.
The Pirates were able to take the lead in the top of the sixth, as the visitors loaded the bases with one out. Although Bowden plunked Jamie Tanno to give Park one run, the sophomore looked to have recovered as she struck out Shaya Kinsey. Unfortunately, Lindsey Sumner was able to connect on a pitch, looping it to right-center to score two more runs and give Park the lead.
A pop out ended the inning without further damange, but the Owls weren't able to make anything of a baserunner in the bottom of the sixth and retired in order in the bottom of the seventh to bring an end to the series.
