Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 FULTON, Mo.- The William Woods baseball team has now won five games in a row, as they swept Lindenwood University-Belleville today, winning game one 16-7 and game two 6-5.
In game one, the Lynx jumped out to an early 1-0 first inning lead on Owl starter Collin Brinker, as Brinker allowed a one out-single to Kyle Forsythe, then got Trey Meier to strike out getting a big second out. The hurler, however, had trouble finding his control, as he walked three straight batters, allowing Forsythe to score the first run of the game.
The Lynx extended their lead to 5-0 in the second, as they scored four runs on three hits, putting the Owls in an early hole. In the home half of the second,
Austin Clapp got the team going with a one out single and he was able to advance to third on a
Robertt Butvin double to center. Clapp was able to score the Owls first run of the game, scoring on a wild pitch by starter David Parkinson.
Damon Adrian hit a sacrifice fly next and that allowed Butvin to score from third, and the team was able to cut the deficit down to two runs.
It was only a matter of time before the offense caught fire again and the team exploded in the third inning, scoring eight runs on four hits, helped out by four Lynx errors and took a commanding 10-4 lead after three innings of play.
William Woods extended the lead to 13-4, scoring three more runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth, getting RBI from
Justin Elmore (2) and
Stephen Kohler. Lindenwood-Belleville responded with two runs in the top of the fifth, cutting the lead down to seven, but the lead was too much for a comeback, as WWU scored three more runs in the sixth inning and went on for the nine run victory.
The offense totaled 15 hits led by Clapp and Butvin, as the duo each totaled three hits and combined for five runs scored and one RBI.
Zach Nichols had a strong game one in the no. 3 spot in the order, going 2-for-3 with one run scored and four RBI. Elmore was second on the team in RBI adding three, to go along with his 2-for-4 day at the plate with one run scored.
Game two had the Lynx jumping out again on the Owls in the top of the second inning, scoring two runs on three hits against starter
John Cavness. The Owls responded right away, getting a sacrifice fly from
Ethan Browning, scoring Butvin who reached base on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning.
In the third inning,
Derek Fletcher led the inning off with a double to left field and he was then courtesy-ran for by
Damon Adrian. A balk by starter Joseph Phelps, allowed Adrain to move to third base. Phelps, however, settled down and got
Matt Thomas and
Ryan Sweet to strike out, but couldn't get the all-important third out, as
Eilert Meyers ripped a single to center, scoring Adrian and tying the game up at 2-2.
Lindenwood-Belleville retook the lead at 3-2 in the fourth inning, getting an RBI double from Sean Keeney, allowing Cody Walker to score from first base. In the top of the sixth, the Lynx pushed the lead to 5-2, scoring two runs on two hits and giving some breathing room for starter Phelps.
The Owls, however, were not going to go quietly, as after
Eilert Meyers got hit-by-pitch, Butvin doubled to center, moving Meyers over to third base. Clapp then came to the plate and singled to center, scoring Meyers and cutting the score to 5-3. With nobody out and runners on the corners, pinch-hitter
Zach Nichols singled to left, scoring Butvin and putting the scoreboard at 5-4 now.
Greg Hamrock was the next pinch-hitter and he hit a sacrifice bunt, allowing Clapp and Nichols to advance to third and second, putting the winning run in scoring position. Fletcher hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Clapp tying the game and the winning run was now on third base, for Kohler. The shortstop singled in Nichols and gave the Owls a comeback 6-5 lead and victory over Lindenwood-Belleville.
Kohler, Meyers, and Clapp each led the offense with two hits and one RBI apiece. Reliever Kale Wierenga got the win for the team, throwing 1 2/3 innings pitched, walking one and striking out two batters.
The Owls (17-14, 11-7 AMC), have now totaled 67 runs in their five game winning streak and will look to continue their winning ways when the team travels to Williams Baptist this weekend. First-pitch on Friday afternoon will start at 12:00 p.m.
