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Box Score 2 FULTON, Mo.- The William Woods University softball team moved their record to 2-2 overall in California, splitting a double-header with Vanguard University (RV), winning game one 4-1, however, falling in game two 5-4.
The Owls have gone 3-3 in their last six games, however, have been playing much better as of late, splitting a double-header series with #1 ranked Cal State San Marcos and with Vanguard who is receiving votes in the NAIA top 25 poll along with William Woods.
After falling in her last outing against #1 Cal State San Marcos, starter Mackenzie Bowden got redemption and back on the winning track, as the junior threw yet another complete game allowing one run on four hits and striking out eight.
The Owls scored four runs on 10 hits, with one run coming in the third, two in the fourth and one in the seventh. After back-to-back walks to
Kacey Scharnhorst and Shelby LeCuru and a
Lindsey LeCuru single to center, the team had bases loaded for
Macy Wierschem in the third. The designated hitter reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Scharnhorst and giving WWU a 1-0 lead.
In the fourth,
Ashley DePew led the inning off with a single and was able to score two batters later on a Scharnhorst double, taking a 2-0 lead. S. LeCuru came to the plate and singled, scoring Scharnhorst and the Owls gained more breathing room with a 3-0 advantage.
L.LeCuru added a RBI single in the seventh that scored S. LeCuru, giving the Owls a 4-0 lead on the scoreboard. Bowden allowed one run in the seventh, but was able to close out the game for the team, winning by three.
The 1-4 hitters of
Kacey Scharnhorst, Shelby LeCuru, Illissa Facchini and
Lindsey LeCuru swung the bats very well, combining to go 7-for-14 with three runs scored and three RBI.
Ashley DePew was perfect at the plate in the #7 spot in the order, going 3-for-3 with one run scored.
WWU started off game two again with the lead, gaining a 2-0 advantage thanks to an RBI from L. LeCuru and Wierschem giving starter
Becca Schemmer some offensive help. The Lions, however, cut into the lead in the bottom of the second scoring one run, and were able to tie the game up at 2-2 in the bottom half of the fourth.
In the top of the sixth, the Owls regained the lead at 3-2 on another RBI single from Wierschem that scored Facchini, whom reached on a single earlier in the inning. The team wasn't done there, as DePew hit a sacrifice fly out to right field, which scored L. LeCuru giving WWU a 4-2 lead heading into the seventh inning.
The Lions were finally able to get their offense rolling in the seventh, as they got back-to-back singles from Haley Croce and Kari Bergerson, putting the tying run on first. After a groundout by Taylor Hallahan, #3 hitter Shelby Kuryllo doubled to center field, scoring both Croce and Bergerson, tying the game up at 4-4. Brittney Boggs came to the dish and hit a single up the middle, scoring the winning run, as Vanguard took game two.
Schemmer did her best in the outing, allowing five runs (4 earned) on 10 hits and struck out two Lion hitters. Catcher
Macy Wierschem and Facchini each had one hit and were the only players to get hits in the game. Wierschem led the team in RBI with two, L. LeCuru and DePew added the other RBI.
Vanguard starter Alexandra Olvera shut-down the Owls offense in five innings of work, allowing three runs (1 earned), striking out three WWU batters and allowed zero hits. The Lions were led by Brittney Boggs going 3-for-4 with one RBI.
The Owls will now prepare their final games in California, and will take on Biola University. Biola is off to a 12-15 start on the season, as the Eagles have had their ups-and-downs including a seven game losing streak and most recently winning eight out of their last 11 games.
Overall on offense the Eagles are hitting .264, led by Heather Hall whom is hitting .333 through 26 games played, as she stands second on the team in hits (25) and third in runs batted (9). Brooke Madrid and Celina Thornton are both batting over .300 on the season, with Brooke leading the team in hits (30), runs (13) and second in runs batted in (10).
The Eagles have two pitchers with an ERA under 3.70, led by Sarah Enriquez (2.23), who holds a 9-6 record through 13 games started (21 GP) and two shutouts. Enriquez has also racked up plenty of inning work, totaling 109.2 and has a K/BB ratio of 80/27. Hall who leads the team in batting, is also impressive on the mound with a 3.62 ERA and a 1-2 record.
The teams' record overall record now stands at 4-6 and will prepare for another double-header tomorrow against the Eagles. First-pitch is set for 12:00 p.m. (2:00 p.m. CT)
