FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University baseball team pushed its win streak up to six with the weekend series sweep over Benedictine University at Springfield o Saturday, as the Owls captured the 6-4 victory in the nine inning game three to conclude the series over the Bulldogs.
 
The Owls (31-9; 16-6 AMC) knew with the regular season part of its schedule winding down and the battle for first place in the AMC, they needed this key conference sweep and they did just that.
 
Despite knowing what was at stake, the Owls had a rough start in the final game, as the Bulldogs were able to score three runs on WWU in the first inning, on two hits, while taking advantage to the Owls two costly errors.
 
The Owls would get one of those runs back in the bottom of the second, as Dustin Kremer and Austin Clapp led off with back-to-back singles but with William Woods trying to bunt and move the runners up 90 feet, Benedictine's defense were able to get the lead runner, Kremer, out at third base. With two outs and runners on first and second, Dey singled up the middle, scoring Clapp from second , to put the first run for the Owls on the board, 3-1.
 
Then in the next inning, WWU struck again cutting the Bulldogs lead down to one, with a Cody Stewart RBI double to left center, scoring Larry Price to make the score 3-2 in the bottom of the third.
 
Benedictine University would respond by plating its fourth run on the day in the top of the fourth, with a sacrifice fly to left field off the bat of Blake Gand, giving BU the 4-2 advantage. 
 
After trailing the Bulldogs for the first four innings on the day, the Owls scored three runs on three hits in their half of the fourth inning, to take its first lead of the day, 5-4. Alex St. Pierre got it all start with a single to shallow right, followed by Dey's second hit of the day, moving St. Pierre all the way to third base and with a pass ball from the Bulldogs catcher, the Owls quickly made it 4-3. Grant Garret would reach on a walk, putting runners on the corners for WWU lead off hitter, Larry Price.  Price singled past a diving third baseman, scoring Dey and tying the game up at 4-4 and later in the inning with a sacrifice fly from Nick Spagnola, the Owls took the 5-4 lead.
 
Holding the Bulldogs offense scoreless for the next four innings, the Owls would add an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth from a sacrifice fly from pinch hitter Patrick Dillion, extending WWU lead to 6-4 and giving the defense the momentum to collect the final three outs.
 
Closer James Ball, came in for the save, as the senior retired the Bulldogs one, two and three, to secure the 6-4 victory in game three, sweeping Benedictine on the weekend.
 
The Owls scored six runs, outhitting the Bulldogs 11-5, as four players recorded a pair of hits on the day, which included Kremer (2-for-4),  Clapp (2-for-4), St. Pierre (2-for-3) and Dey (2-for-4), while Javier Ledesma, Stewart and Price also collected a hit. Stewart pushed his hitting streak up to eight games, while also adding his team-high 39^th RBI on the season.
 
It was a combined effort from the Owls bullpen today, as starter Jacob Guillianelli pitched 3.0 innings, only giving up three hits while allowing four runs and striking out three batters. Ryan Schmidt, came in for Guiliianelli, facing two batters before being relieved by Caleb Bounds, who didn't allow a single run in his 2.0 innings of work. Dylan Hastings, who was coming off a win in yesterdays game two, collected the win as he pitched 2.1 of scoreless innings, not giving up a single hit and striking out five Bulldogs. Then closer Ball, came in for the final inning to capture his sixth win on the season.
 
The Bulldogs were led by Edwin Covas, as the junior collect two of the team four hits on the day, while Anthony Jerrall suffered the loss in game three.
 
"I was proud of how we competed after falling behind early," said head coach Darren Munns. "Our pitching staff kept hanging zeroes and gave our offense a chance to rally.  We will enjoy it for a little bit and then get ready to play Park tomorrow."
 
The Owls return back to action on Owls Field tomorrow, as the team hosts Park University for a one nine inning game, with first pitch set for 2:00 p.m.
 
Fans check back on wwuowls.com for weather delays and/or full recap and score on tomorrow's action for Owls Field.

Tweet ##Owls_BB