SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The No. 3-seeded William Woods University baseball team will begins its journey to the 2014 American Midwest Conference championship on Thursday afternoon, as they take on No. 6 seed Park University in the opening round of the AMC Tournament. First-pitch from Lanphier Park in Springfield, Ill., is set for 4 p.m.
William Woods (35-10, 18-8 AMC) wrapped up the 2014 regular season last weekend, as they took two-of-three from Benedictine University at Springfield at Owls Field to secure the tournament's No. 3 seed. Zach Nichols led the charge for the Owls in game one, as he hit a pair of home runs to help WWU to a 5-3 win. The series concluded last Saturday, with the teams splitting a pair of 3-1 decisions, as the Bulldogs took game two thanks to Jordan Pesko's stellar start, and the Owls recovered to take game three, thanks to a three-run third inning.
Like William Woods, Park University concluded the 2014 regular season this past weekend, as they were swept by No. 2 seed Lyon College. The sweep caused the Pirates to fall to the No. 6 seed in this week's conference tournament. Park was blown out, 10-2 in game one, before suffering a 7-5 loss as Lyon scored two runs to break a 5-5 tie in the eighth inning. The Scots would once against rout the Pirates in the three-game set, as they won the series finale, 12-5 to secure the tournament's No. 2 seed.
The Owls swept the three-game series against Park University, as the team won both games of a doubleheader (4-2, 9-4) back on Mar. 18 in Parkville, Mo., and took the series finale in Fulton, 12-4 on April 1.
In those games, William Woods outscored Park University, 25-10. Centerfielder Cody Stewart led the team in hits against the Pirates pitching staff, as he went 8-for-13 (.615 batting average), with an RBI in the three games against the two teams. Matt Thomas, Austin Clapp, and Sam Moon each provided WWU with three RBI against the Pirates this season. All of Thomas' RBIs game in game three in the series back on April 1, while Clapp and Moon each drove in a run in all three games against the AMC foe this season.
Starting pitcher Bubba Bradshaw really had Park's number in the regular season, as he picked up two of his five wins against PU. In the second game of Mar. 18's doubleheader, the righty went 6.1 innings, giving up eight hits and four runs, though two was just earned, with four strikeouts in the win. He was even better in game three of the series, as he tosses six innings of three-hit, two-run ball to pick up his second straight win against the Pirates this season.
As a team, William Woods finished the AMC regular season ranked second in ERA and third in batting average. A place that the Owls have stood all season.
On the mound, the WWU staff posted a 3.58 ERA. Closer James Ball, who led the AMC with 12 saves this year, is the team's leader in ERA with his 1.61 mark. The Hillsboro, Mo., native is the reigning AMC Pitcher of the Week, after he tied Alex Cann's single-season saves record against Benedictine University at Springfield.
Ball has tossed 61.1 innings this season, which is second on the team, in 25 appearances. He holds a 5-1 record, with 55 strikeouts and only eight walks on the season.
Starter Dane Smith has been the Owls ace in the rotation this season, as he is 8-1 with a 3.29 ERA. Smith has tossed a team-high 68.1 innings, thanks in large part to his four complete games in 11 starts this season. The Halls, Tenn., native has won each of his last two starts, as he has given up just four runs on his 12.1 innings pitched.
Offensively, Cody Stewart is the top hitter for William Woods, as he holds a .419 batting average. That mark is good enough for fourth in the AMC. The Temecula, Calif., native has collected a hit in 15 of his last 16 games coming into the tournament. As a team, the Owls are posting a .311 batting average.
For Park University, they are led by Christian Torres. Torres leads the team in hitting and RBIs, as he holds a .428 batting average with 40 runs driven in. He brings in a five-game hitting streak into the tournament as he has collected 13 hits in his last 21 at-bats. As a team, the Pirates hold a team batting average of .305.
Milan Pleacher leads a Park University team that holds a staff ERA of 5.03. Pleacher is 3-5 on the year, but he has posted a team-best 3.23 ERA through 55.2 innings of work. Derrick Gordon leads the team in wins with five, and has collected a team-best 45 strikeouts in 44 innings of work. Gordon also provides the Pirates with a starter who has an ERA under four, as he posts a 3.48 ERA.
With William Woods' three wins this season, they now lead the all-time series against Park University, 15-12.
Fans can click here for the entire schedule and bracket of the 2014 AMC Tournament. Also, if fans are wanting to listen to the entire AMC Tournament, you can do by clicking the link here.
