FULTON, Mo.- The William Woods baseball team extended their winning streak to 12 games against No. 16 Lyon College with a 6-2 game one victory, however, the Scots played spoiler in the weekend series finale defeating the Owls 6-2, ending the winning streak. The team will look to start a new winning streak against Benedictine-Springfield at 1:00 p.m.
Last Time Out
The Owls (24-15, 18-8 AMC), won the weekend series against the Scots (3-1), handing No. 16 Lyon their longest losing streak of the season at three. In game one, the offense totaled six runs on six hits, scoring three times in the first inning and in the third inning.
John Cavness picked up the victory throwing six one-third innings pitched, allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out six.
Matt Thomas picked up the save for the Owls.
The offense was led by
Zach Nichols and Thomas combining to go 4-for-6 with three runs scored and one RBI from Nichols, while
Jacob Harrison,
Ryan Sweet and
Eilert Meyers each added the other RBI for the team.
In game two, the Owls again grabbed a 1-0 lead, but Lyon responded in the top of the second inning, scoring four runs on five hits and taking a three run lead. William Woods cut down the lead scoring one run in the third and the fifth, putting Lyon's lead at 4-3. The Scots, however, responded again with one run in the sixth and one run in the seventh and were able to hold on for the two run victory.
William Woods totaled eight hits in game two led by
Robertt Butvin going 3-for-4 with one RBI. Greg Hamrock,
Stephen Kohler, Nichols, Harrison and
Kyle Switzer each added one hit a piece.
Benedictine-Springfield (18-17, 13-10 AMC), are coming off a double-header split against Missouri Baptist, where the Bulldogs fell in game one 3-1, but took game two 5-2. In their victory, the Bulldogs grabbed a 4-0 lead in the top of the third and were able to hold on and hand Missouri Baptist their first home loss on the season.
The offense totaled nine hits, led by Tommy Jennings going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI. Zane Dillon was strong in the leadoff position going 2-for-5 with one run scored. Sean Fitzgerald also added two hits and one RBI. Jordan Pesko picked up the victory throwing a complete game, allowing two runs on seven hits and struck out three.
Owls and Bulldogs Play With Better Conditions
The Owls and Bulldogs will be playing with the weather on their side this time around, as the two teams met nearly a month ago and in game one with the Owls leading 4-3, the rain started to come down and the game had to be postponed. Both teams will pick up from right where they left off in the previous meeting.
Brush School Records Start Too Mount
With his shutout performance against Williams Baptist in game one on Friday, starter
Adam Brush has tied the school record in career wins with 18, tying Zack Lamb who has held the mark since 2002. Brush has also totaled 200 strikeouts in his career, placing him third on the all-time list, trailing Lamb by 36 strikeouts. He also holds the lowest career ERA (Min. 100 innings pitched) at 3.05 and has the record for most shutouts in his career with four, Brush has two this season, tying the season high record.
Offense Paced Owls in Winning Streak
During their 12 game winning streak, the Owls batted 0.379, out-scoring their opponents 131-59, totaling 146 hits, 29 doubles, seven triples, eight home runs and 111 RBI. Harrison holds the top average for the Owls, batting 0.560 in eight games played (14-for-25), with 14 runs scored, two home runs and 11 RBI.
Ryan Sweet came around and batted 0.478 in eight games played and added four RBI. Hamrock had been just as good through 12 appearances, hitting 0.462 (18-for-39), with 18 runs scored, six doubles and eight RBI.
Nichols (0.442) and Kohler (0.432) both batted well during the streak, combining for 39 RBI and 33 RBI. Elmore has also contributed in a big way as well, batting 0.400 (8-for-20) with eight runs scored, one double, one triple, one home run and seven RBI. There are seven other players for the Owls who batted over 0.250., during the winning streak.
Team Averages Rise to Top of American Midwest Conference
The Owls hot hitting has moved their team average up to 0.331, which is now first in the conference, leading second place Lyon by (0.14). The team is also second overall in slugging percentage (0.448), runs scored (257), runs scored/game (6.95). WWU is third in hits (361) and second in the runs batted category (223), tying Hannibal-LaGrange .
Regular Season Near the End
The Owls are very comfortable playing in front of the home crowd, as they are 13-3 when they play on their home field. That benefits the team very well as they have four games remaining (all home) left before AMC Playoffs. The team will host a double-header against Benedictine-Springfield Sunday and then face Benedictine (Kan.) and Missouri Valley in a non-conference double-header finale.
Players to Look Out For (William Woods)
On the year, Hamrock leads the Owls with a 0.437 average (52-for-119), with 35 runs scored, 13 doubles, 65 total bases and a slugging percentage of 0.546. His 0.437 is the best in the conference and ninth in the NAIA. Kohler, through 37 games played, is batting 0.419 (49-for-117), with 29 runs scored, five doubles, and 19 RBI. Kohler's 0.419 average is second in the American Midwest Conference and 22
nd in the NAIA.
Jacob Harrison continues to have a strong year, batting 0.376 (41-for-109) with 25 runs scored and 24 RBI. Nichols has moved his season average up to 0.374 (40-for-107) with 35 runs scored, 10 doubles, leads the team in home runs with four and in RBI with 40. Elmore (0.333), Harrison (0.378),
Ryan Sweet (0.419), Thomas (0.330),
Kyle Switzer (0.300), are the other players batting over 0.300 and who have improved their batting average recently.
On the mound, the Owls hold a 4.43 ERA, led by relievers
Garret Haslag(0.00),
Kyle Muzechka(1.00), and
Matt Thomas(1.40). The three relievers have combined for 24 games played, allowing just eight runs and striking out 24 batters. The starters are led by reigning American Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Week Brush, who is 5-3, with a 2.52 ERA and has a K/BB ratio of 48/22.
Jeremy Ahillen (3.15) and
Dane Smith (3.35) are the other starters holding an ERA under 3.50 and has earned two victories on the season.
Players to Look Out For (Benedictine-Springfield)
On offense the Bulldogs are led by Zane Dillion, batting 0.357 through 32 games played, leading the team in hits (45) and has scored 22 times and contributed 17 RBI. Brett Jackson is right behind Dillion, hitting 0.352 (38-for-108), with 27 runs scored and 22 RBI. As a team, the Bulldogs are hitting 0.310 with David Maziarz (0.340), Travis Combs (0.339), Tommy Jennings (0.331), Jordan Day (0.325) and Sean Fitzgerald (0.300), all of whom are batting at or above 0.300.
On the hill, the Bulldogs are led by Jordan Pesko with a 4-2 record and a 2.17 ERA through 49 2/3 innings pitched. The Bulldogs hold a 5.53 and Lucas Wright is the only other hurler for the team having an ERA under 4.00, as Wright has a 3.86 ERA, to go along with a 2-2 record through 30 1/3 innings pitched. Starter Josh Glick is tied for the team lead in wins with four, but has a 5.84 ERA and a K/BB ratio of 43/27.
