FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University baseball team is set to host Benedictine University at Springfield for a key home weekend series, the three game series against the Bulldogs is set for a doubleheader on Friday afternoon, as first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and then will conclude with a nine inning match-up on Saturday beginning at 1:00 p.m.

At the conclusion of game two against the Bulldogs, the Owls will be honoring its 12 seniors, which include, Austin Clapp, Adam Brush, Cody Stewart, Stephen Kohler, Josh Finney, Nick Vocks, Dustin Kremer, Dylan Hastings, Javier Ledesma, James Ball, Nick Spagnola and Ryan Yuengel.
 
The Owls (28-9; 13-6) are coming off a doubleheader sweep against Avila University earlier this week, as WWU took game one that was resumed in the top of the seventh from earlier this season 6-5, and went on to capture the 4-0 shut out in game two, with the two wins the team extended its win streak to three.
 
In game one, with the Owls out hitting the Eagles 10-8, Javier Ledesma started the game right where it was left off in the top of the 7^th, as the senior drew a walk but however was caught stealing second base. Then with two outs catcher Grant Garrett came up to the plate, hitting a shot over the left-center field fence, as the solo home run gave the Owls the one run lead, 6-5.
 
Closer James Ball and the defense held off Avila University in their half of inning, by retiring the Eagles and capturing the 6-5 victory.
 
Nick Spagnola, Dustin Kremer and Garrett all collected a pair of hits in the game, as Garrett's second hit went down as his second home run on the season and counted for the Owls winning run. Cody Stewart went 1-for-4 from the plate and plated three RBI's.
 
In Game two, it was all William Woods, as the team scored four runs on eight hits, while having its bullpen be a key impact to take game two and the season series from the Eagles.
 
Stewart and Spagnola remained hot from the plate as both seniors tallied a pair of hits, and a stolen base, while Stewart recorded his 35^th RBI on the season. Price, Kremer, Austin Clapp and Patrick Dillion also collected a hit in the match-up.
 
The Owls had huge success from its bullpen in the shut out, Kyle Marburger got the start and recorded his first win on the season, as the junior pitched five score less innings, giving up just one hit, only three walks, while striking out four batters. Ryan Yuengel relieved Marburger, as the senior struck out three batters, allowed two hits in his two innings of work, before WWU brought in Dylan Hastings and Ball to close the game, as both pitched hit less innings and struck out two batters in their one inning performance in game two.
 
On the season, William Woods is hitting .306 as a team, which is fourth best in the American Midwest Conference. Owls senior, Nick Spagnola continues to have a stunning last year, as the Algonquin, Illinois native, leads the team in batting average (.370), hits (51), and stolen bases (14). Another senior having a stellar senior year for WWU is Cody Stewart, who has become the toughest out in the Owls line-up of lately, pushing his season average to .347, while leading the team with 37 RBI's. Stewart also enters the weekend series riding a six game hitting streak.
 
On the mound, where the Owls have had strong displays from all season long has earned a team ERA of 2.29, which is second best in the nation, while holding its opponents to just a .210 batting average, also good enough for second in the nation. John Cavness leads the staff with a 2.22 ERA, only giving up 13 earned runs, while striking out 46 batters in his 52.2 innings of work. Ball, the team's closer leads the staff with 55 strikeouts, while recording five wins and saves on the year, earning himself an ERA of 2.54.
 
The Bulldogs are currently, 12-19 on the season and 10-9 in AMC play, as the team has extended is win streak to six, with a three game series sweep over Park University last weekend.
 
BU is hitting .279 as a team, as Chris Day leads the team in several categories, which includes batting average (.363), hits (37) and RBI's (19). The other Bulldog that this Owls will have to keep an eye on that is also hitting over .300, is Edwin Covas, as the junior is hitting .350 from the plate, while recording a team-high six doubles on the year. On the rubber, Jesse Remington leads the pitching staff with an ERA of 2.00 and 28 strikeouts in his 45.0 innings of work.
 
Fans check back on wwuowls.com tomorrow evening for a full recap and scores from Owls Field.