Box Score
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The William Woods University baseball team scored six runs in the final four innings to collect a season-opening 7-3 come-from-behind win at Christian Brothers University on Thursday afternoon.
After giving up three first inning runs, William Woods (1-0) found itself down 3-0 after three innings, as Christian Brothers' (0-3) starter Miles Anderson held the Owls to just one hit over his three shutout frames. WWU was able to rally off the Buccaneers bullpen by scoring all seven of its runs on 10 hits after Anderson's departure from the game in the top of the fourth.
The Owls offense scratched its first run across the plate in the fifth inning, with a Zach Nichols fielder's choice to third. The righty came to the plate after three WWU players drew a walk to load the bases. Nichols hit smash to third base that eventually turned into a force play at third, and allowed Javier Ledesma to cross the plate, bringing William Woods within two runs at 3-1.
WWU tied the game up in the top of the fifth with a Cody Stewart sacrifice fly and a Derek Fletcher single down the left field line that allowed Sam Moon to score all the way from second base.
A four-run eighth inning by William Woods not only gave them the lead, but it helped put some distance between them and Christian Brothers, as they were able to hang on for the 7-3 win just before the game was called in the bottom of the ninth due to darkness.
Zach Nichols picked up the 2014 season right where he left off, as he drove in a team-best two runs on the day, and went 1-for-4 with a walk. Nick Spagnola and Matt Thomas paced the Owls offense with their two hits each on the day, as the team collected 11 knocks in its season-opening contest. Â
James Ball picked up the win for WWU, as he came in from the bullpen to throw five shutout innings. The junior college transfer struck out four batters in his Owls debut, and did not walk a single Buccaneer on the day.
Ryan Yuengel got the start for William Woods, and after a rough first inning where he allowed three runs on two hits, he settled down and to give up just one more hit over his next two frames and struck out two batters in his debut.
The Owls will return to action tomorrow afternoon, as they continue their five-game, four-day road trip through Tennessee by facing the University of Northwestern Ohio in Henderson, Tenn. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m.
Check back with wwuowls.com for a full recap of all this weekend's action.
