JOPLIN, Mo. – The William Woods University baseball team split its two games on Saturday at the Joplin Tournament. The Owls dropped game one, 7-3, to Robert Morris (Ill.) University before winning game two, 7-3, over Doane (Neb.) University.
 
WWU returns to action on Sunday, February 19th when they play Viterbo (Wis.) University at 11 a.m.
 
WWU vs. Robert Morris
Game Flow
After a scoreless first inning, the Owls scored first in the bottom of the second inning. Glen DesBouillons singled and advanced on a wild throw. He moved to third on a Jansen Smith single and scored on a single by Josh Nicol putting the Owls ahead, 1-0.
 
Robert Morris answered back in the top of the third. After Phillips retired the first two hitters, Jalen Cox doubled and Matt Cole followed with a two-run home run. The Eagles were not done as they added two more runs in the inning taking a 4-1 lead over the Owls.
 
The Eagles continued to be productive at the plate as continued to hit Phillips. A triple by Corey Krupske scored two more runs in the inning. After a pitching change, Jalen Cox drove in Krupske putting Robert Morris ahead, 7-1.
 
William Woods answered back by scoring two in the bottom of the forth. Jansen Smith led off by getting hit by a pitch and Josh Nicol drove him home with a two-run home run cutting the Eagles lead down to 7-3.
 
Neither team would threaten again and the Owls were defeated, 7-3, by Robert Morris.
 
By the Numbers
3 – WWU scored three runs against Robert Morris
7 – The Owls had seven hits against the Eagles
5 – Coming in out of the bullpen, Bret Harris had five strike outs
2 – Jansen Smith and Josh Nicol had two hits each
3 – Josh Nicol had three RBI in the contest
4 – WWU drew four walks in the contest
 
Starting Pitcher Lines
WWU – Ryan Phillips, 3 IP, 9H, 7R (7ER), 2BB's, 1K
RMU – Ian Zimmerman, 4.1 IP, 6H, 3R (2ER), 2BB's, 3K's
 
WWU vs. Doane
Game Flow
Starting the contest, both starting pitchers retired the order in order and going to the top of the third, the game was scoreless. WWU got to the Tigers starter in the third inning as they collected six hits in the inning and scored four runs. Nicol came with an RBI in the inning.
 
William Woods added to its lead in the top of the fourth. DesBouillons tripled to lead off the inning and he came into score on a wild pitch. The run extended the Owls lead to 5-0.
WWU grew its lead to as many as seven, 7-0, in the top of the fifth inning. In the inning Neal Aherin reached on a bunt hit that scored one and the Owls scored another on a fielder choice.
 
Doane got to the Owls starter in the bottom of the sixth inning as they scored three runs in the frame. After three straight singles, the Owls made a pitching change. After a double play, the Tigers hit a two-run home run trimming the Owls lead down to 7-3.
 
The Tigers could not get anything going in the bottom of the seventh inning as Trent Jeary was thrown out trying to reach third base to end the game. WWU came away with a 7-3 victory.
 
By the Numbers
10 – WWU pitchers struck out 10 Tigers
7 – The Owls scored seven runs against Doane
8 – Dany Paradis-Giroux recorded eight strikeouts
4 – WWU had four players collect two hits
5 – The Owls drew five walks in the contest
2 – Josh Nicol drove in two runs in the contest
7 – WWU had seven hits against Doane
 
Starting Pitcher Lines
WWU – Dany Paradis-Giroux, 5 IP, 4H, 2R (2 ER), 0BB's, 8K's
DU – Travis Henninger, 4.1 IP, 10H, 7R (7ER), 4BB's, 1K