BELLEVUE, Neb. -  The No. 24 ranked William Woods University couldn't over come a late rally by the No.14 ranked Bellevue University, as the Owls fell 3-2 in the opening round of the 2015 NAIA Baseball National Championship on Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Owls (39-13) controlled most of the game, starting right out of the gate, as WWU struck first in the bottom of the first and then added another run to its lead in the third. However, things turned for the worst in the top of the ninth,  as closer James Ball uncharacteristically allowed a three run home run, giving the Bruins the one run lead heading into the bottom half of the ninth.
 
With the loss, William Woods now moves to an elimination game at 11 a.m. against No. 4 seed Madoona (Mich.)  who lost earlier Tuesday morning. The Owls must win in the match-up against Madonna to keep its National journey alive.
 
Things started hot for the Owls, as the team jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Nick Spagnola got the offense rolling as he reached base on a Bruin error and then advanced to second base on Cody Stewart's ground ball. Then with a wild pitch, Spagnola moved up to third base, putting him 90 feet away from scoring, as Dustin Kremer singled to left-center to plate Spagnola and give WWU the 1-0 lead.
 
WWU would strike again in the bottom of the third, as Grant Garrett led off with a single to center field, Patrick Dillion would come in to pinch run for the catcher and advanced to second off of Larry Price's sacrifice bunt, putting him in scoring position. Cody Stewart would reach base on another Bruins error, which brought in Dillion to extend the Owls lead 2-0.
 
The score remained the same, as both teams went scoreless for the next six innings, making it a full out pitching and defense dual.
 
Despite the teams loss, Owls starter John Cavness, recorded a remarkable outing, as the junior went 8.2 innings of work, giving up six hits, allowing two runs and striking out three.
 
The lefty, had the answer and shut out against the Bruins until the top of the ninth, where things started to unravel for the Owls. Bellevue, Colton Nash got things going for BU with a single, followed by Aaron Brasher's single putting runners on first and second for the Bruins, after two strikeouts head coach Darren Munns made the call to the bullpen, as Ball came in relief, replacing Cavness. The senior who has been stellar in this situation all year for WWU, however, couldn't get past Todd Nicks, as the Bruins first baseman hit a three run home run over the left field fence, giving BU the its first runs of the day and the 3-2 lead.
 
The Owls, although were not going down without a fight, as the team had one last chance to get a run back or capture the victory in the bottom of its half of the ninth inning.
 
Cody Stewart, who has had the answer all year from the plate for WWU gave the team a huge boost of energy as the senior led of with a triple down the right field line, putting the tying run just 90 feet away. Despite the hard fought battle, Steve Sarcone held off the Owls rally and retired the next three batters, to secure the Bruins the 3-2 victory.
 
WWU was led offensively by Garrett and Kremer, who both collected a pair of hits, while Kremer recorded the lone RBI on the day. Stewart had the other hit for the Owls, while Ball suffered the loss in heartbreaking fashion on the mound.
 
The Bruins totaled seven hits as a team, as Nash and Brasher each went 2-for-4 from the plate, while Nicks recorded the only homerun in the game and a team-high three RBI on the day. Sacone went the whole nine innings for BU, picking up the win, giving up five hits and only allowing two runs, while amassing 10 strikeouts.
 
Awaiting the Owls in the elimination game is Madonna, who lost to Mayville State in its opening round game.
 
Fans stay updated on wwuwowls.com for tomorrow's action of the Bellevue Bracket in the Opening Round.

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