FORT WORTH, Texas – The William Woods University Softball team traveled to the NAIA Cowtown Classic and the Owls went 2-1 on day one of the classic. WWU defeated York in five innings, 8-0, and William Penn, 3-1. Their only loss of the day was against Doane, 7-4.
 
William Woods returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, February 11th when they take on Bellevue University and Oklahoma City University. WWU will face Bellevue at 9 a.m. and Oklahoma City at 1 p.m. Live Stat links can be found at wwuowls.com
 
Game Flow
York vs. WWU
The Owls shot out of the gate in their season opener against York. Their timely offense and stellar work in the circle would put the Owls on top. In the bottom of the first, the Owls reached the bags as they capitalized on Panther mistakes. After an executed sacrifice bunt from Dacrie Depping, the Owls were in scoring position. Unfortunately, Owl runners would be stranded leaving two on in the bottom of the first.
 
As the bottom of the second rolled around, the Owls were down two outs, with Emily Robinett up to bat. It was after her walk that the Owls started to string hits together. Olivia Imhoff doubled to center, putting Robinett in scoring position. Hannah Campbell singled to right field scoring Robinett and Imhoff. Panther defense could not handle the pressure and Woods scored three in the third.
 
By the fourth inning, all cylinders were rolling for the Owls offense. With another timely hit by Campbell, the Owls tested the Panther defense once again placing Depping on the bases. A sacrifice fly by Brailee Schulte, would score Depping and continue to give the Owls the fire they needed to keep scoring. Ari Arnold, Hillary Hentges and Jessica Bradfisch had each singled, eventually scoring with the help of teammate Emily Robinett. The Owls would add 5 runs making the score 8-0, causing the run-rule to come into effect and the Owls would take game one in five innings, 8-0.
 
In the circle for game one was freshman Madison Ausfahl. Making her first start for the Owls, she only allowed the Panthers to one hit in five innings of play. She struck out five and walked one as she led the Owls to the victory. The win was her first win of her career at William Woods.
 
By the Numbers
1 – Freshman Madison Ausfahl only allowed one hit to the Panthers
5 – Ausfahl struck out five York hitters in the contest
5 – WWU scored five runs in the fourth inning of the contest
8 – The Owls scored eight runs in the first game of the season
2 – Hannah Campbell led the Owls with two hits in the contest
2 – WWU had two extra base hits in the win
2 – Hannah Campbell and Brailee Schulte each had one stolen base in the contest
 
Starting Pitcher Lines
York – Ciera Montalvo, 2 IP, 3H, 3 R (3 ER), 3BB's, 3K's
WWU – Madison Ausfahl, 5 IP, 1H, 0R (0 ER), 1BB, 5K's
 
William Penn vs. WWU
The Owls were in for a fight when William Penn started out with a double from Michelle Castro to kick off the beginning of the first. After a walk by Jenny Navarro and a single from Emily Brown, scoring Castro, the Owls could end their threat allowing their solo run.
 
In the Owls, first at-bats Hannah Campbell hit a shot to deep center to double and decided to try to stretch it to make it to third, but testing the arm of Sonia Reddy would quickly shut that idea out as she was out at third from the throw. The Owls were unable to get the ball rolling as they ended the inning with the score still 1-0.
 
Both teams would threaten to score between the second inning and the fourth inning. William Penn would leave four runners stranded and the Owls would leave two stranded before a hit parade in the fourth inning. Beth Begemann started off the inning with a rocket to right-center. A Statesman error would put Begemann at third with Hentges up to bat. Hillary Hentges hit a triple to left-center scoring Begemann and eventually scored after a hit by Alexi Cavins putting the Owls ahead, 3-1.
 
The Statesmen then had a difficult time stringing hits together, eventually William Woods came away with the win, 3-1. Begemann was 3-3 in the game and Brailee Schulte along with Alexi Cavins were 2-3.
 
By the Numbers
3 – WWU scored three runs in the second game, which was enough for the Owls win
11 – The Owls collected 11 hits in the contest
4 – William Penn committed four errors in the contest
3 – Sierra Jacques strike out three Statesmen in the contest
4 – WWU had four extra base hits in the contest
3 – Beth Begemann had three hits against William Penn
1 – WWU only allowed one run to William Penn
 
Starting Pitcher Lines
William Penn – Katie Springer, 6 IP, 11H, 3 R (1 ER), 0BB's, 4K's
WWU – Sierra Jacques, 7 IP, 5H, 1R (1 ER), 2BB's, 3K's
 
Doane vs. WWU
The Owls came out against Doane with bats blazing starting with Hannah Campbell reaching on an error and teammate Ari Arnold with a single. Brailee Schulte added a walk, loading the bases for Beth Begemann. Begemann hit a shot deep down the left field line, clearing the bases. The Owls would walk out of the top of the first with a 3-0 lead.
 
Nicole Fernandez would threaten by reaching on an Owl error and an execution of a sacrifice bunt, putting the Tigers in scoring position. Fernandez would be the only one to come around the bases for Doane and cutting the Owls lead down to 3-1.
 
The Owls would then come up to bat with no success, with Tiger offense itching to hit. At the bottom of the second, the Tigers would score three runs, pulling them ahead of the Owls, 4-3. Unfortunately, the Owls reached scoring position, but were unable to cross home plate. The Owls would score once more in the fourth, but Doane would add a run every inning making the ending score 7-4.
 
By the Numbers
8 – WWU committed eight errors against Doane
11 – The Owls had 11 hits in the final game of day one
3 – Hannah Campbell and Ari Arnold led the Owls with three hits apiece
3 – Bailee Schulte drew three walks in the contest
4 – Beth Begemann drove in all four runs for the Owls
9 – WWU struck out nine times against the Tigers starter
 
Starting Pitcher Lines
Doane – Haileigh Arthur, 7 IP, 11H, 4 R (4 ER), 4BB's, 9K's
WWU – Allison Waskow, 6 IP, 5H, 7 R (4 ER), 3BB's, 1K