FULTON, Mo. – The (RV) William Woods University baseball team completed its three game series on the weekend with a doubleheader sweep over Williams Baptist College on Saturday afternoon, as the team won 7-1 in the first game and captured a 3-0 shutout in the final game.
 
The sweep on the day gave the Owls (17-6; 5-3 AMC) the 2-1 win on the series against the Eagles and lifts WWU AMC record back over .500. In the pair of wins the Owls out hit WBC 16- 10, as the team recorded the timely hits on the day, while strong defense and strong outings on the pitching mound only allowed the Eagles to score three runs on the day.
 
Game One William Woods 7 Williams Baptist 3
 
The Eagles were able to get on the board first in the top of the third inning, after back-to-back singles from Nick Scott and Cody Conn, then as a sacrifice bunt moved both runners up 90-feet, Black Coffman ground out to second base, scoring Scott and giving WBC the 1-0 lead.
 
WWU however, was able to get the run back and one more in the bottom of the third, as Dustin Kremer crushed a ball over the left field fence to collect his first home run on the year and tie the game up 1-1. Shortly after, Larry Price would single to center field, then using his speed would reach second with a stolen base and after an error from the Wildcats catcher advanced to third. Cody Stewart would draw a walk, to bring up Austin Clapp and with runners on third and first the senior hit a deep sac fly to center, which brought Price across the plate for the Owls third run (3-1).
 
In the next inning, the Owls added one run to its lead, as Stephen Kohler led off with a single, then with two outs Price squared to bunt where he placed it perfectly, good enough to move Kohler to second and beating it out for a hit.  Stewart, as the third batter, collected his second hit on the game and scored Kohler, extending the Owls lead to 4-1.
 
After a quick three up three down defense outing in the top of fifth, WWU added another run to the board, as Spagnola singled for his second hit and then was scored later in the inning by Kremer, making the score 5-1
 
Despite being scoreless for three innings, the Eagles were not going away quite, as they plated two runs in the top of the sixth on one hit, putting some pressure on the Owls and cutting the lead down to 5-3. The Owls would maintain its composure, collecting three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth and then went to shut down the side for the Eagles in the top of the seventh, to go on and secure the 7-3 game one victory.
 
Price, Kremer and Spagnola each collected a pair of hits in the match-up, while Kremer and Clapp each tallied two RBI's. Kremer was red hot from the plate, going 2-for-3, which one hit being a home run. On the mound, Cavness got the start for the Owls and collected his fourth win on the year, while giving up three runs, on seven hits while striking out two in five innings of work.
 
Game Two William Woods 3 Williams Baptist 0
 
In the last game to conclude the series, the hard fought battle from both teams would have been any less of what to be expected, as it was a pitching and defensive dual.
 
Owls starting pitcher Adam Brush tossed seven shut out innings before being relieved by James Ball, who came in to pitch two strong innings to help pace WWU over the Eagles. Brush, in the seven innings of work only gave up three hits, one walk, while striking out six batters. Ball, who came in the game at the top of the eighth, got out of a jam that stranded Eagles runners on first and third, giving the Owls a boost of energy heading into the bottom of the eighth.
 
After eight scoreless innings for both teams, the Owls Larry Price got the ball rolling with a single to right field and then advanced to second base on the bobble from Eagles right fielder Alex Camp. Stewart was then intentionally walked, and after a WBC pitching change, Price would steal his second base on the day, following a wild throw bring him to the plate, which would give the Owls the 1-0 lead. Stewart would now be standing on third and after a single from Clapp, it would score Stewart and now make the score 2-0 in WWU favor. Javier Ledesma would come in to pitch run for the Owls, while Dey flied out to right, moving Ledesma up 90-feet to second base. Ledesma would take advantage of his speed and cause havoc to the Eagles by stealing third base. Spagnola came up to the plate with two outs and Ledesma at third, as the senior executed a perfectly place squeeze bunt, scoring Ledesma and reaching first base safely, which would extend the Owls lead to 3-0.
 
Ball, would go to work in the top of the ninth, striking out the first two hitters he faced and got Jon Coburn to pop out to end the match-up. Collecting his second win on the season and securing Williams Woods with the 3-0 shutout in game two.
 
Spagnola, continued to have a great day at the plate, adding two more hits on the day, going 2-for-4 and tallying an RBI, while Dakota Smith also contributed a pair of hits, while Clapp ended the day going 1-for-3 and adding a RBI.
 
""I'm very proud of how we competed today," said head coach Darren Munns. "We pitched and played defense much better today than yesterday, and that was the difference."
 
The Owls return to action on Tuesday with a doubleheader, as the team will host AMC foe Park University. The first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
 
Fans check back on wwuowls.com for a full preview of this doubleheader.

Tweet ##Owls_BB