FULTON, Mo. -- The William Woods University softball team will say farewell to the 2013 regular season on Monday afternoon, as they host no. 5 Williams Baptist College in the annual Senior Day game. First pitch for this doubleheader, sponsored by Cost Cutters of Mid-Missouri, is slated for 1 p.m.
Last Time Out
William Woods (18-12, 11-5 AMC) concluded its stretch of six games in three days on Saturday as they took a pair of AMC contest against Stephens College, winning game one 18-1, then shut out the Stars 14-0 in the second game.
MacKenzie Bowden was completely masterful on the mound over the weekend. The junior righty posted a perfect 4-0 record on the weekend, as she didn't allow a run over 16.2 innings.
Caroline Sicht had a huge weekend at the plate, going 9-for-11 with a double and three home runs.
Williams Baptist (35-3, 15-1 AMC) suffered its first loss in AMC play on Saturday, as Columbia College knocked off the no. 5-ranked team in the country 5-3. The loss snapped the Lady Eagles 12-game winning streak.
Senior Day
Head coach Tracy Gastineau and company will honor a pair of four-year players (Ashley DePew and Kristy Pluchinski) and two junior college transfers (Illissa Facchini and Lauren Lopes).
Gastineau had this to say about her seniors:
“Ladies – I want to thank you for all of the contributions you have made for our team and program. It has been a privilege to be a part of your softball lives.
Ashley and Kristy – I have enjoyed watching you play and grow from your freshman year to this last year of your college softball career. Thank you for sharing all of them with me.
Ilissa and Lauren – Thank you for making the trip to the Midwest and choosing to end your college careers with us. I hope you have enjoyed the experience as much as I have enjoyed having you in this program.
I wish you all much success in your roads ahead. Hold dear to you the memories of WWU softball and the past and present teammates and friendships you have made along the way. As much as I hate to see you leave 'the Woods', I am so excited to see all that you will accomplish in your futures. I am proud and blessed to have coached you.”
AMC Players Of The Week
On Monday it was announced by the AMC that William Woods swept the conference's weekly awards, as MacKenzie Bowden and Caroline Sicht were honored as the Pitcher and Player of the Week for their performances during last week's games.
This is the second honor for Bowden this season, as she went a perfect 4-0 last week, striking out 27 batters in just 16.2 innings of week. The highlight of the week for Bowden came during the first game on Saturday, as she threw a five-inning no-hitter against Benedictine University at Springfield.
Sicht had a breakout week, as she hit .818 over five games with three home runs, while driving in nine runs. The sophomore came into last week hitting just .205 with one home run and six RBI's. Sicht now post a line of .340, four homers, and 15 RBI's.
Bowden's No-Hitter
On Saturday, MacKenzie Bowden tossed a no-hitter for the Owls against Benedictine University at Springfield.
It was the fifth no-hitter that Bowden has thrown for William Woods in her three-year career. It also was the third no-hitter that the Hartsburg, Mo., native has tossed against Benedictine University at Springfield.
She has yet to allow a hit to the Bulldogs in 19.2 innings that spans over three years.
Sicht Run
Caroline Sicht came into the game on April 7 against Missouri Valley hitting just .121, with no home runs and just five runs driven in over a span of 14 games.
Since that day, Sicht has hit .764, and has taken the team lead in homers with four, and has driven in 10 runs over the last seven games.
Her stat line for the year is now, .340 with four home runs and 15 RBI's.
Winning Streak
William Woods is currently on its longest winning streak of the season, as they have won six consecutive games, by-passing the seasons previous high mark of three.
After starting the year at 7-11, WWU has rolled off nine wins over the last 10 games to improve its record to 16-12.
Getting The Extra-Base Hits
The Owls exploded for 26 extra-base hits during their six games in three days stretch. WWU totaled 16 doubles, three triples and seven home runs.
Owls Face Another Top 25 Opponent
Tuesday will mark the 10th game that William Woods has squared off against an NAIA Coaches Poll Top 25 team, when they face no. 5 Williams Baptist College.
So far on the season, the Owls have played some tough teams that include no. 2 Cal State San Marcos, no. 6 Oklahoma City, no. 18 Rogers State, and no. 21 Park University.
WWU is 1-7 against the current Top 25, with its lone win coming against then no. 1-ranked Cal State Can Marcos.
Players to Keep an Eye Out For - William Woods
There will be plenty of players to look out for in this game on offense and on the mound.
Offensively for the Owls, sophomore Caroline Sicht has been on quite the tear of late. The Columbia, Mo., native hit .818 with three home runs and nine RBI's last week to earn her AMC Player of the Week honors.
Sicht is the team leader in home runs with four, and her .600 slugging percentage is also tops on the team.
Freshman Shelby LeCuru leads the team with her .363 average. She is tied with Kristy Pluchinski for the team lead in extra-base hits with eight.
Two players are also tied for the team lead in RBI's, as senior Illissa Facchini and sophomore Kacey Scharnhorst have droven in 16 runs apiece.
As a team, William Woods holds a .306 average, which is fourth-best in the conference.
On the mound, junior MacKenzie Bowden, incumbent Co-AMC Pitcher of the Year, collected four wins last week, and threw her fifth career no-hitter in the process against Benedictine University at Springfield, to push her record to 9-6.
Her 129 strikeouts in 94.0 innings is the second-highest total in the AMC. Though, she leads the AMC in strike outs per game, whiffing 12.35 batters per start.
Bowden is holding opposing batters to a .172 average, which ranks is tied for the second-lowest opponent batting average in the league.
Players To Keep An Eye Out For – Williams Baptist
The Lady Eagles features the top pitcher in the AMC in Karisa Hendrix. The 5-11 senior leads the AMC in wins (19), ERA (0.72), opponent batting average (.122), total strike outs (165), hits allowed per seven innings (3.79), and saves (4). She also ranks second in the NAIA in opponent batting average and hits allowed per seven innings.
Shelby Anderson is second on the team, and in the conference in wins with 16. Anderson also leads AMC in batting average (.509), slugging percentage (.953), total hits (54), RBI's (49), home runs (12), and total bases (101).
As a team, Williams Baptist leads the conference in slugging percentage (.556), runs scored (283), hits (371), RBI's (249), doubles (66), triples (16), home runs (31), stolen bases (45), ERA (0.92), opponent batting average (.159), strike outs (234), runs allowed(49).
Get Social With The Owls
In addition to the traditional outlets, fans can keep up with the latest news about William Woods Athletics via our social media channels. Checkout our Facebook page (Facebook.com/WWUOwls) and twitter feed (@WWU_Owls).
Corporate Partners
Today's game is sponsored by Cost Cutters of Mid-Missouri. Throughout the 2012-13 season, William Woods will take many opportunities to thank our corporate partners for their support both on and off the field for our student-athletes. Thanks to State Farm, Central Dairy, Coldwell Banker Niedergerke & Co., Columbia Orthopedic Group, Atkins Inc., Jack's Gourmet Restaurant, Holiday Inn Express, Joe Machens Dealerships, Mid-City Lumber, Mo-X, PEAK Performance, Red Weir Athletic Supplies, State Farm/Don Woodson and White Dog Promotions. For more information on the WWU Corporate Partner programs, contact the William Woods Athletic Department at 573.592.1624.
