Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 BALDWIN CITY, Kan.— Seniors Lindsey LeCuru and MacKenzie Bowden led the (RV) William Woods University softball team to a 4-0 victory over Baker University in game one, but the offense was held quiet in game two, as the Owls fell 3-0.

William Woods University 4 Baker University 0
Game one between the two squads, featured the top pitchers each team had to offer, as the Owls (11-8) put hurler Bowden on the hill, while the Wildcats (8-6) countered with freshman Katt Cooper, who came into the game having an ERA under 1.00.
 
After two scoreless innings, things picked up for WWU in the top of the third, as Megan Cooper led the inning off with a hit-by-pitch. After Julie Scheer hit a sacrifice bunt, which moved Cooper to second, freshman Hannah Campbell doubled to deep left, putting runners on second and third, with the heart of the order coming up.
 
Hot hitting Shelby LeCuru walked to load up the bases for Kacey Scharnhorst, who reached base on a fielder's choice, but Cooper was tagged out at home. Lindsey LeCuru then came to the plate, and tripled to right-center, clearing the bases and give the Owls a 3-0 lead after three innings of play.
 
"Lindsey (LeCuru) came up big for us in that inning," said head coach Tracy Gastineau. "She did what she always does for us thus far this year, which is come through with a big hit when needed," she added.
 
The three run lead was more than enough with Bowden on the mound, as the Hartsburg, Mo., native shutdown the Wildcat offense in her complete game outing, allowing no runs on three hits and struck out a season-high 15 batters.
 
"Mackenzie (Bowden) was dominant on the mound for us today and made it an easy game for our defense as well," said Gastineau.  "She threw a complete game under 91 pitches and just did a great job on the mound."
 
Lindsey LeCuru would bring home her season-high fourth RBI of the day in the seventh, as she hit a single, which scored Campbell from third, who led off with a single of her own and the Owls were able to go on and win by four. The offense totaled four hits in the game, led by Campbell and Lindsey LeCuru having two hits each.
 
Cooper, meanwhile, pitched well for Baker, going six innings, allowing three runs, on two hits and struck out four. Brooke Plummer came on for one inning of relief, allowing one run on two hits.
 
Baker University 3 William Woods University 0
In game two, it was Baker University striking first this time around, as Cami Williams singled to shallow right field, which brought home Sammie Schroeder to give the Wildcats the early 1-0 lead in the second inning.
 
Owls senior starter Becca Schemmer settled down for the next three innings, allowing just two hits, but the offense couldn't get much going against Wildcat pitcher Mallorie Nelson who had a no-hitter going through six innings of work.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Alyse Menghini extended the teams lead to 3-0, hitting a two-run home run over the left field wall, which gave Nelson more breathing room to work with as she was looking for not only the win, but a no-hitter as well.
 
After retiring the first batter in the seventh, Scharnhorst broke up the no-hitter with single to centerfield. Nelson, however, didn't let the Owls catch fire on offense, getting the final two outs of the game and give Baker the three run win.
 
Schemmer pitched very well for the Owls in her six inning outing, allowing three runs on four hits and struck out two. Nelson, picked up her second win on the season for the Wildcats, allowing one hit in seven innings pitched and struck out seven Owls.
 
"She (Becca) pitched great for us and made only one mistake in the game which happened in the sixth on the home run," said Gastineau. "Give their pitcher credit for her outing, but we should have had better approaches at the plate," she added.  
 
After spending the first month of the season on the road, the Owls will finally get to have their home opener, as they host American Midwest Conference foe Benedictine University at Springfield on Friday Mar. 14^th. First-pitch will begin at 2 p.m.
 
Fans stay updated on wwuowls.com on Thursday for a full preview of the Owls first home and AMC game on the 2014 season.

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