FULTON, Mo. -- The William Woods University softball team will be playing for a good cause on Friday, as they face-off against Lyon College in the annual 'Think Pink' game. The Owls will be taking donations and raise money for The National Breast Cancer Fondation. First pitch for the game, sponsored by Joe Machens Dealership, is scheduled for 12 p.m.
Last Time Out
William Woods (16-12, 8-5 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.
Lyon College (10-32, 4-10 AMC) is on a two-game winning streak after sweeping Crowley's Ridge College on Monday afternoon. The Scots have played an incredible 42 games this season, though it hasn't translated into success as they have only won 10 of those games.
Friday will be the first AMC games that Lyon has played since April 11, as they recently stepped out of league play to face future AMC foe Mid-Continent and a non-NAIA school in Crowley's Ridge.
Bobblehead Game
The first 100 fans who attends Friday's game will recieve a Screech bobblehead.
Alumni Weekend
This weekend William Woods welcomes all Alumni to back to campus and all athletic events this weekend will be free of charge for all Alumni.
NAIA National Player of the Week
On Tuesday it was announced by the NAIA that Caroline Sicht had been selected as the National Player of the Week.
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.
AMC Players of the Week
That wasn't the only award that Sicht earned this week, as she was also awarded as the AMC Player of the Week on Monday, joining teammate MacKenzie Bowden, who won the AMC Pitcher of the Week, to help William Woods sweep the weekly AMC honors.
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.
While for Sicht, it is the first time she has won this weekly award in her Owl's career.
April Showers
William Woods was scheduled to play against no. 5 Williams Baptist College on Tuesday afternoon, but after a long rain delay the game has been postponed until a later date.
Weather cancellations have been the theme this year in Mid-Missouri, as 16 games have either been rescheduled or cancelled for William Woods. In fact, Friday's game against Lyon College was originally scheduled for March 26, but was pushed back due to inclement weather.
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.
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.
Player to Keep an Eye On- Lyon College
Valerie Howell has been a force all season for the Scots, as she leads the team in batting average (.369), home runs (9), RBI (32), hits (45), slugging percentage (.680), total bases (83), and on-base percentage (.414).
Apple Filat leads the AMC in stolen bases with 19.
On the rubber for Lyon College, Lauren Mills has collected all but one win this season as she has posted a 9-17 record with a 5.29 ERA. Mills has struck out only 57 batters in 161.1 innings pitched.
Jessica Cagigas's 3.07 ERA in 11 games leads the team. She has collected the only other win on the staff as she has an overall record of 1-7.
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 Joe Machens Dealership. 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.
