FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University baseball team took game one of the three game series against Harris-Stowe State University, 3-2 on Saturday afternoon. The Owls will conclude the home weekend series tomorrow with a doubleheader action beginning at 1:00 p.m.
 
After two scoreless innings, the Owls (18-5; 6-3AMC), got on the board first, as Larry Price and Cody Stewart lead off the bottom of the third with singles, putting runners on second and first for the three hole hitter Austin Clapp. The senior would then double to deep right-center, scoring Price and Stewart to give WWU the 2-0 advantage.
 
In the next inning, WWU would add another run to its lead as Price would collect his seventh RBI on the season, scoring Stephen Kohler with a single between the three-four hole. The Owls would continue to put the pressure on Hornets defense by loading the bases on a Stewart walk but couldn't get another run across the plate, however with the one run it would push the Owls lead up to 3-0.
 
The Hornets would plate its first run on the day in the top of the sixth inning, after an Austin Aguirre single and stolen base, Arsalaan Alvi singled up the middle to score Aguirre, to make the score 3-1, still in the Owls favor.
 
Shortly after, in the top of the seventh, HSSU would strike again as Jonathan Alvarez lead off with a single, being the last batter for Owls starter John Cavness to face, while Dylan Hastings came in to replace Cavness on the mound. With HSSU base runners on first and third, Andres Alburjas hit a ground ball to second base, as the Owls could only get the out at second base, while HSSU plated its second run of the game, getting within one of WWU, 3-2.
 
Closer, James Ball would come into the game in the top of the eighth inning, in hopes to put in end to the Hornets offense. Then with runners on first and second, Ball would get the Hornets to ground out for the first and second outs of the inning and get Alvarez to strike out looking to end HSSU rally.
 
Then the Owls would try to get another run for insurance in the bottom of the eighth however, the team would strand three runners on base, which would bring the last chance for Hornets in the top of the ninth. Despite giving up a lead of single, Ball and the Owls defense would maintain its composure to collect three outs and secure the 3-2 victory over HSSU.
 
WWU offense was lead by Price, Clapp and St. Pierre, who each collected a pair of hits, while Clapp went 2-for-4 from the plate and recorded two RBI's. Stewart, Kohler and Grant Garrett also tallied a hit on the victory. On the mound, Caveness pitched six strong innings for the Owls, only allowing three hits, giving up two runs and collecting two strikeouts, to record the win, as Hastings, came in for an inning, giving up two hits and striking out one batter in his five batters his faced. Ball would grab his fourth save on the year by pitching two scoreless innings in relief, allowing one single and striking out three.
 
"Today was a hard-fought conference win," said head coach Darren Munns. "Harris-Stowe's lefty was very good, we were fortunate John Cavness had another strong start, and our pen pitched out of some tough spots in the late innings."
 
Munns added,  "I expect two more tough games tomorrow."
 
The Owls will wrap up the AMC home series against the Hornets tomorrow with a doubleheader action, in hopes to pick up a key three game sweep to improve its AMC record and secure the second place in standings.
 
Fans check back on wwuowls.com tomorrow evening for a full recap and scores of the doubleheader action from Owls Field. 

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