FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University Softball team took two from Missouri Valley College on Thursday afternoon in Fulton, Missouri. The Owls took game one, 4-3, and game two, 6-2, winning their home opener.
 
Game One
Game Flow
After the Vikings were retired in order in the top of the first inning, the Owls came up to bat looking for a big inning. Sydnae Hatton reached on a bunt single and proceeded to steal second base. Hatton advanced to third base on a ground out and come to score on an Ari Arnold double down the right field line. Beth Begemann singled down the line putting runs on the corners. Begemann stole second base and with one out, the Owls had two runners on but the next two hitters were retired and the Owls threat was over.
 
The Vikings came back around to score two in the top of the second inning. With two one and one out, Briana Billups reached on a WWU error. The Vikings scored two runs in the inning taking a 2-1 lead.
 
Missouri Valley hung onto the 2-1 lead until the bottom of the third inning. With the bases loaded and no outs, Amanda Bouchey grounded out scoring one and tying the game at 2-2. Later in the inning with two outs Emily Murphy came up and hit a pinch hit two run RBI single to right center putting the Owls on top 4-2.
 
The Vikings added one more run in the top of the fourth inning on a Billups single up the middle, trimming the lead down to 4-3. After the run was scored, neither team threatened to score again and the Owls took game one, 4-3.
 
By the Numbers
7 – The Owls collected seven hits in the game one
4 – WWU scored four runs in the contest
2 – Ari Arnold and Beth Begemann led the team with two hits apiece
2 – Emily Murphy collected two RBIs in a pinch hitting role
 
Starting Pitching Lines
WWU – Allison Waskow, 7 IP, 6H 3R (3 ER), 1BB, 5K's
Missouri Valley – Bethany Chamblee, 6 IP, 7H, 4R (4 ER), 2BB's, 0K's
 
Game Two
Game Flow
After a scoreless inning and a half, the Owls put up four runs in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs and a runner on first and second, it looked as if they Owls would not get anything across the plate. However, Hannah Campbell reached on an error loading the bases. Brailee Schulte singled to left scoring two and putting the Owls ahead, 2-0. Beth Begemann followed with a two run RBI double to center field. After two complete innings the Owls lead 4-0.
 
William Woods added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as Schulte took a 3-1 pitch over the center field fence for a solo home run extending the lead to 5-0.
 
Sierra Jacques kept the Vikings off balance in game two. Jacques only allowed one hit to the Vikings in the first five innings of play.
 
WWU grew the lead to 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning as Alli Massey scored on a wild pitch. Missouri Valley started battling back in the top of the sixth inning. Morgan Ginger scored on a Kaya Naiwi double to left field. Naiwi came to score on a Kaila Dewitt single.
 
The Owls did not score again and WWU sat the Vikings down in order in the top of the seventh inning. The Owls won game two, 6-2.
 
By the Numbers
13 – The Owls collected 13 hits in the second game of the doubleheader
6 – William Woods scored six runs in game two
6 – WWU had six players collect two or more hits in the game
3 – Brailee Schulte collected three RBIs in game two
2 – Beth Begemann collected two RBIs in the game
 
Starting Pitchers Lines
WWU – Sierra Jacques, 7 IP, 3H, 2R (2 ER), 3BB's, 3K's
Missouri Valley – Lexus Kirkpatrick, 4 IP, 10H, 6R (2 ER), 2BB's, 4K's
 
Next Games
The Owls return to action on Saturday, March 5th when they play Goshen College in Fulton, Mo. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.