OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The William Woods University baseball team opened the 2018 season with a doubleheader sweep of Mid-America Christian University on Friday afternoon. The Owls took game one, 6-4, before taking game two, 6-2.
 
Brian Granton led the Owls over the two games with three hits. Nolan Aherin followed with two hits in the double-header. Adam Grunden and Dany Paradis-Giroux picked up the wins for the Owls. WWU collected 12 hits in the double-header.
 
WWU returns to action tomorrow, Jan. 27 when they conclude its three-game set with Mid-America Christian University. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.
 
Game One
Game Flow
WWU had a rocky start heading into game one against the Evangels. Mid-America Christian loaded the bases against the Owls in the first inning but could only get one run across the plate.
 
The Owls scored in the third inning after Josh Nicol sparked the offense with a double. With Jordan Smith pinch running for Nicol, Smith advanced to third on a wild pitch and Brian Granton singled up the middle, tying the game 1-1.
 
The Evangels would add another run in the fourth inning, 2-1. With the bases loaded, Raymond Rodriguez hit into a fielders choice scoring one and putting the Evangels ahead.
 
Both teams then went through zero scoring innings up until the sixth inning when the Owls pounded out four runs. Granton came up with another single to get the Owls rolling. Granton advanced to second on a stolen base and the patience of Tyler Cunningham and Marquise Doherty would allow them to reach on walks. The Owls had loaded the bases with two outs, and Nolan Aherin came in clutch with a single to score both Granton and Cunningham putting the Owls ahead, 3-2.
 
The Owls were now on first and third when Doherty and Aherin pulled off a double steal in which Doherty scored increasing the lead to 4-2. Glen DesBouillons then doubled to score Aherin growing the Owls lead to, 5-2.
 
The Evangels threatened in their next opportunity, but the Owl defense pulled out a double play keeping the damage to a minimum as they scored one run taking the Owls lead down to, 5-3. Tyler Bracht led off the seventh inning with a successful bunt to get the Owls on base. Nicol joined him after getting hit by pitch, putting runners on first and second. Granton would come up again for the Owls reaching on an Evangel error, loading the bases. Cunningham would then hit a sacrifice fly to score Bracht putting the Owls ahead, 6-3.
 
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Kevin Lentzner hit a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He scored on a Logan Gipson double but that would be all Mid-America Christian would get as WWU opened the season with a 6-4 victory.
 
By the Numbers
6 – WWU scored six runs in the first game of the season
5 – The Owls pitching staff combined for five strikeouts in the game
2 – Brian Granton led the Owls with 2 hits
2 – Nolan Aherin collected two RBIs
4 – Four Owls had an RBI in the game
2 – William Woods had two doubles in the contest
3 – The Owls had three stolen bases in the win
 
Starting Pitcher Lines
WWU – Adam Grunden, 5 IP, 5H, 2R (1ER), 4Ks, 2 BBs
MACU – Keisy Portorreal, 5.2 IP, 3H, 3R (3ER), 9Ks, 2BBs
 
Game Two
Game Flow
The Owls came out swinging in the first as Granton singled and would then score when Cunningham hit a two-run homerun putting the Owls ahead, 2-0.
 
The Evangels scored one in the second, trimming the Owls lead down to one. With two outs, Aaron Davis took a 1-2 pitch over the right field fence for a home run taking the Owls lead down to one, 2-1.
 
The Owls offense would ignite after two outs in the third inning. Cunningham reached on a walk and Doherty hit a two-run homerun taking the Owls head to three runs, 4-1.
 
The Owls would score again in the fourth when Zach Smith led off with a double, putting the Owls in scoring position. Patrick Dillon came in to pinch run for Smith and Connor Poulson reached on a walk. With runners on first and second, WWU fought to score, but after two putouts by the Evangels, Dillon was finally able to score after a wild pitch increasing the Owls lead to 5-1. The Owls would score once more in the inning off a wild throw taking a 6-1 lead.
 
The Owls found themselves in a pickle in the sixth inning when Mid-America loaded the bases, but the Owls defense came out unscathed. Going into the final outs of the game, Mid-America Christian loaded the bases. Anonio Darado grounded in a double-play, which scored one but ended the threat. WWU came away with a 6-2 victory in game two.
 
By the Numbers
6 – WWU scored six runs in the second game
6 – William Woods collected six hits in the contest
2 – The Owls scored two runs in three innings
2 – Tyler Cunningham and Marquise Doherty each hit a two-run home run
2 – WWU hit two home runs in the contest
4 – The Owls drew four walks in the victory
6 – Six different Owls had a hit in the contest
2 – The Owls pitching staff only allowed two runs
2 – WWU recorded two stolen bases
 
Starting Pitcher Lines
WWU – Dany Paradis-Giroux, 4 IP, 2H, 1R (1ER), 3Ks, 3BBs
MACU – Noel Diaz, 3 IP, 4H, 4R (4ER), 3Ks, 1BBs