FULTON, Mo. -- The William Woods University softball team is still in search of its first home win of the 2013 season as they host Harris-Stowe State University for a Wednesday afternoon American Midwest Conference doubleheader. First pitch for the game, sponsored by Koelling Family Chiropractic, is set for 2 p.m.
Last Time Out
William Woods (10-12, 3-5 AMC) had a great weekend as they went 3-1 on a two-day four-game swing through the Show Me State, as they swept Missouri Baptist on Saturday and earned a two-game split at Missouri Valley College on Sunday afternoon.
Before dropping the final game to Missouri Valley College, the Owls had won three straight games, giving them their longest winning streak of the season.
MacKenzie Bowden collected two wins on the weekend, pushing her overall record to 5-6. The righty struck out 21 batters in 15 innings of work, and complied a 0.93 ERA in two games. The Hartsburg native was spectacutlar on Sunday as she threw a one-hit complete game shutout against Missouri Valley.
Harris-Stowe State (5-19, 1-9 AMC) has dropped six in a row and lost 14 of its previous 15 games. The Hornets most recent setback happened on Saturday as they dropped a pair of contest to Park University, as they were defeated 12-3 in game one, then were shutout 13-0 in the finale.
Looking For A Home Win
Wednesday marks just the third time the Owls will be playing at home this season. The Owls dropped a pair of AMC doubleheaders to Park University and Columbia College in their only other set of home games during the 2013 season.
Double-Digit Strike Outs
Junior pitcher MacKenzie Bowden is currently on a four-game stretch where she has struck out at least 10 batters. The streak started against Hannibal-LaGrange on March 29.
In her most recently outing against Missouri Valley College, Bowden struck out 10 batters on way to a one-hit complete game shutout.
Speaking Of Complete Games…..
William Woods has collected 18 complete games from the duo of MacKenzie Bowden and Becca Schemmer.
Schemmer has been on quite a roll of late, as she has posted a complete game in each of her last seven starts. While, Bowden has went the distance in her last four outings.
Strike Out Machine
MacKenzie Bowden leads the AMC in strike outs per game at 11.87. The mark ranks as the 15th-highest total in the NAIA.
Perfect In The Field
Through 22 games, left fielder and relief pitcher, Kacey Scharnhorst, has yet to commit an error in 49 chances. She is the lone Owl not to have an error this season.
In fact, Scharnhorst hasn't had a miscue in the field in her entire Owls career, posting a 1.000 lifetime fielding percentage.
Getting The Extra-Base Hits
The Owls swatted eight extra-base hits (3 HRs, 5 2Bs, 1 3B) in four games this past weekend.
Sister Act
On Saturday, sisters Lindsey and Shelby LeCuru, each hit a home run to help William Woods earn a key sweep over Missouri Baptist.
Lindsey LeCuru went deep in the first game for a solo shot, then in the second game Shelby would drill the first home run of her collegiate career.
Owls Face Top Competition through 22 Games
So far on the season, the Owls have played some tough teams that include no.2 Cal State San Marcos, no. 3 Rogers State, no. 11 Oklahoma City and no. 18 Park University.
At the time the Owls played Vanguard University they were receiving votes in the NAIA Softball Top 25 Coaches Poll.
The team has gone 2-8 against these top team and will face another top 10 opponent in no. 5 Williams Baptist on Senior Day.
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, Freshman Shelby LeCuru is leading the team through 22 games played with a .324 average (24-for-74). The Jefferson City native has been able to put the bat on the ball, as she has only struck out five times in 74 at-bats.
Kacey Scharnhorst is also turning in a wonderful sophomore campaign, as she is second on the team in batting average at .306. The lefty leads the team in RBI's with 13.
Lindsey LeCuru leads the team in home runs with two.
As a team, William Woods holds a .265 average, which is fifth-best in the conference.
On the mound, junior MacKenzie Bowden, incumbent Co-AMC Pitcher of the Year, is just 5-6 through 11 games started, and holds a 1.45 ERA, which places her fifth in the conference.
Her 102 strikeouts in 77.1 innings is the second-highest total in the AMC. Though, she leads the AMC in strike outs per game, whiffing 11.87 batters per start.
Bowden is holding opposing batters to a .191 average, which ranks is tied for the third-lowest opponent batting average in the league.
Becca Schemmer has been able to provide head coach Tracy Gastineau a solid no. 2 starter this season Owls. Schemmer is tied for the team lead in wins with five and has posted a 3.05 ERA.
Players To Keep An Eye Out For – Harris-Stowe State
The Hornets sport a trio of .300 hitters in Kati Pearson, Britini Diesen, and Fallon Poettker. Pearson leads the team in batting average (.383), while Diesen leads the team in hits (23), doubles (11), RBI's (18) and home runs (3).
On the rubber for Harris-Stowe, Abby Dunker and Jacki Dooley have seen the bulk of the starts this season for HSSU. Dunker is 3-8 with a 6.72 ERA, while Dooley is 2-7 with an 8.31 ERA.
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
Tonight's game is sponsored by Atkins Inc. 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.
