KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The No. 19-ranked William Woods University softball team split its doubleheader action on Saturday afternoon, as the Owls fell to host Avila University 6-2 in game one, but responded with a 3-1 victory over Briar Cliff University in game two.

"We're still looking for progress," said head coach Tracy Gastineau. "We have some areas of our game that need significant improvement, but I'm hoping the experience we're having early in the season will provide valuable lessons down the line."

Avila University 6 No. 19 William Woods University 2
In game one, the Owls (4-9), were able to jump out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, as senior catcher Macy Wierschem smashed her first home run on the year over the left field wall.
 
In the bottom of the third, however, Avila (6-3-1), struck back with three runs on three hits and were helped out by one error, to take a 3-1 lead. WWU got one of those runs back in the top of the sixth, as Sydnae Hatton reached base to lead the inning off, as the Eagles committed a throwing error.
 
After consecutive singles by Kacey Scharnhorst and Emily Murphy, the bases were loaded for Wierschem and she flew out to right, but Hatton scored on the play to cut the lead down to 3-2. The team was unable to score another run though, as Avila starter Jennifer Hammonds was able to strike out the next two batters and keep the one run lead intact.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, the Eagles were able to put the game away, as they scored three more runs on two hits, to take a 6-2 lead and Hammonds shut down the Owls in the top of the seventh to secure the four run victory.
 
WWU totaled four hits in the game, as Hatton, Scharnhorst, Murphy and Wierschem contributed one hit each. On the rubber, freshman Bre Logan took the loss, going 6.0 innings, allowing six runs (five earned), on six hits and struck out six batters, but walked nine.
 
Avila, meanwhile, was led by Madison Mueth, going 1-for-4 with a game-high three RBI. At the top of the order, Katie McMurray finished the outing 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Inside the circle, Hammonds earned the win, after allowing two runs (one earned), on three hits and struck out nine in 7.0 innings of work.
 
No. 19 William Woods University 3 Briar Cliff University 1
After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first inning against the Chargers (0-2), the Owls were able to tie the game up in the bottom of the fourth and score two more in the home half of the sixth inning and go on for the two run victory.
 
WWU totaled six hits in the game, led by Scharnhorst going 2-for-3, with one run scored and a game-high two RBI. "Kacey had a great day for us, as she had some huge defensive plays that were game changers and was able to come up with two big RBI," said Gastineau.
 
Hillary Hentges collected her first two hits on the year, going 2-for-4, while Hannah Campbell went 1-for-1 at the leadoff spot and scored two runs.
 
On the rubber for WWU, freshman Allison Waskow collected her second win on the year and posted her third complete game, as she allowed one run (zero earned) on five hits and struck out seven.

The team will return to action tomorrow afternoon in its home opener, as they will take on Briar Cliff University at 12:30 p.m. in game one. Briar Cliff and Westminster College will go head-to-head at 2:30 p.m. and to close out the day's action, WWU will face Westminster College at 4:30 p.m.
 
Fans make sure to stay updated on wwuowls.com tomorrow night for a full recap and scores from Backer Sports Complex.

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