CLAREMORE, Okla. – The William Wood University softball team starts its season by getting swept in a Saturday afternoon doubleheader to Oklahoma City University.

The Owls lost the first game 8-3 to the no. 4-ranked Stars.  In the second game William Woods was able to put up 10 runs, but gave up 15 as OCU was able to complete the sweep.

In the first game, junior MacKenzie Bowden gave up one earned run in seven innings of work. Bowden, who was last year's AMC Pitcher of the Year gave up 12 hits while striking out four.

Kacey Scharnhorst hit the first home run of her career in the early game. The dinger drove in all three runs for the Owls.

In the second game, William Woods collected nine hits. Emily Murphy slugged her first career grand slam, but it wasn't enough as the pitching staff gave up 13 runs, 12 earned, on 17 hits.

WWU will be back in action this afternoon as they face Rogers State University. First pitch for this doubleheader is scheduled for 12 p.m.