Box Score FULTON, Mo.- The William Woods baseball team suffered a tough late inning loss at the hands of Culver-Stockton, falling in the nine-inning game 6-2.
The Owls got things going in the top of the third, as Greg Hamrock reached on a one out walk. Hamrock was then able to advance to second after
Stephen Kohler, singled through the right side of the infield. Both runners then advanced to third and second, pulling off a double steal, for hot hitting
Zach Nichols.
Nichols made contact hitting a sacrifice fly out to left field, scoring Hamrock, however, Kohler was out at third trying to advance, but the run still counted and the Owls held a 1-0 lead. That lead didn't last to long, as the Wildcats were able to tie the game up 1-1 after Tyler Hodge hit a sacrifice bunt, scoring Trent Brisboe who reached base earlier in the inning on a leadoff walk.
It continued to be a pitching duel, as both teams were using a lot of their relief pitchers for no more than two innings. In the bottom of the sixth,
Ryan Schuermann came in to pitch for
Kyle Muzechka and Schuermann started off well getting two quick ground-outs. Cody Jacobson came to the dish for Culver-Stockton and hit a two out single up the middle, keeping the inning alive.
Designated hitter Brock Kartheiser ripped a double to left field, allowing Jacobson to score and giving the Wildcats their first lead on the afternoon at 2-1. The Owls responded quickly, as in the top of the seventh Hamrock and Kohler both reached base on back-to-back singles, putting runners on first and second with one out.
Nichols then reached base on a fielder's choice after a throwing error by Derrick Lamar, loading up the bases for
Eilert Meyers. The Vista, Calif, native, hit a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Hamrock to score and tying up the game 2-2.
In the bottom of the eighth, Owl pitcher Collin Brinker got the leadoff batter to strike-out, but then allowed a walk to Nate Olin. Hodge was up next and he reached on an error by the Owls infield, putting runners on first and second with one down.
Brinker was able to then get Jacobson to pop-out, getting an important second out for the Owls. Kartheiser was up next and he forced Brinker's second walk of the inning, loading up the bases for the Wildcats, with Gene Nanney coming to the plate.
Damon Adrain came in on in relief for Brinker, and this just was Adrian's second appearance on the season. On the 2-2 offering from Adrian, Nanney hit a grand slam over the left field wall, pushing the Wildcat lead to 6-2 after eight innings of play. Lamar was able to close out the Owls in the ninth inning, for the four run win over WWU.
The Owls totaled seven hits on the day, with Kohler leading the way going 4-for-5 in the second spot in the order.
Jacob Harrison was second on the team in hits, going 2-for-4, while Hamrock went 1-for-4 with two runs scored.
William Woods used seven different pitchers in the game with
Dylan Hastings going the longest, throwing two innings. The seven hurlers allowed just six hits in the game, while striking out two. Brinker takes his first loss of the season, allowing three runs on one hit in one two/third innings pitched. Lamar gets the win for the Wildcats going three innings, allowing three hits, one run and striking out three.
The Owls drop their overall record to 10-13 (6-6 AMC), but will look to get back to their winning ways this Friday at home against Park University. First-pitch of the double-header on Friday is set to be thrown at 4:00 p.m.
