FULLERTON, Calif. – The William Woods University Softball team was swept by Hope International University on Friday afternoon in its last games in California. The Owls dropped game one, 5-4, as Hope International used a seventh inning rally to win the game and the Royals claimed game two, 7-5, over the Owls.
 
William Woods returns to action on Tuesday, April 5th when they travel to Columbia, Mo. to face the Stars of Stephens College in American Midwest Conference action.
 
Game One
Game Flow
Hope International scored the first run of the contest in the bottom of the first. With runners on the corner and one out, Jocelyn Young drew a walk loading the bases for the Royals. The next batter for the Royals singled to center scoring one and putting the Royals ahead, 1-0.
 
The Owls bounced back in the third. With two outs and Shelby LeCuru on first base, Sydnae Hatton reached on an erro and LeCuru came around to score on the play. Hannah Campbell followed with a single to centerfield scoring Hatton and the Owls led, 2-1.
 
In the top of the fourth inning the Owls extended its lead to 3-1, when Beth Begemann hit a solo home run to right field.
 
Hope International added one run in the bottom of the fourth inning as they scored one run in the frame. The Owls answered back growing the lead back to two, 4-2, when Campbell singled to right field. On the play, Hatton came around to score on a throwing error by the Royals third baseman.
 
After the fifth inning, Hope International shut down the Owls offense as they only collected two hits during the final two innings of play. The Owls kept the Royals bats quiet until the bottom of the seventh. In the inning, Hope International mounted a comeback as they score three runs on three hits in the inning. Alyssa Felipe drove home the winning run on a single to left field giving the Royals a come from behind victory over the Owls.
 
By the Numbers
4 – The Owls scored four runs in game one
8 – William Woods collected eight hits in game one
3 – Three Owls had a multi-hit game in game one
2 – Sydnae Hatton, Hannah Campbell and Hillary Hentges led the Owls with two hits in the contest
5 – WWU left five runners on base in game one
 
Starting Pitcher Lines
WWU – Sierra Jacques, 6 IP, 9H, 5R (5 ER), 5BB's, 2K's
HIU – Frances Campoy, 7 IP, 8H, 4R (1 ER), 0BB, 1K
 
Game Two
Game Flow
The Owls offense got off to a fast start in the second game of the doubleheader. Hatton drew a walk and Campbell reached on a throwing error, moving Hatton to third base. Campbell stole second base to put two runners in scoring position. Hillary Hentges grounded out and on the play Hatton scored and Campbell came around to score on the play on a throwing error by the Royals.
 
After the Royals scored three in the seventh inning of game one, Allison Waskow came out and kept the Royals off the scoreboard until the bottom of the fourth inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Crystal Cano singled to left field scoring two and tying the game at 2-2.
 
William Woods answered back in the top of the fifth as Ari Arnold led off the inning with a single to right field and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After a strikeout, Brailee Schulte walked putting two runners on. Madison McCormick doubled to right field scoring two and putting the Owls ahead, 4-2.
 
The Owls led did not last long as in the bottom of the inning, the Royals answered right back in the bottom of the inning. After the first two hitters reached for Hope International, Jessica Valenzuela collected her only hit of the game. Valenzuela hit a three run home run to left field putting the Royals ahead, 5-4.
 
Hope International added to its lead in the sixth inning as they scored two runs on two hits and took advantage of three Owls errors extending its lead to 7-4.
 
With the Owls down to their final three outs of the contest, Beth Begemann pitched hit and singled to left field. She came to score on a Schulte double to left field putting the Owls down, 7-5. Schulte would be stranded on second base as the Owls were retired and William Woods dropped game two, 7-5.
 
By the Numbers
7 – The Owls drew seven walks in game two after not drawing a walk in the first game
7 – WWU collected seven hits in game two
5 – William Woods scored five runs
3 – The Owls and Royals each committed three errors in game two
2 – William Woods hit two doubles in game one
 
Starting Pitcher Lines
WWU – Allison Waskow, 6 IP, 9H, 7R (6 ER), 5BB's, 4K's
HIU – Allysa Felipe, 6.1 IP, 7H, 5R (2 ER), 7BB's, 6K's