WALNUT RIDGE, ARK. – William Woods University Softball split a two-game series against Williams Baptist Friday afternoon. WBU won the first game 10-6 while the Owls took the second game 5-1. WWU now sits at 10-17 overall and 5-7 in the American Midwest Conference.
 
William Woods returns to action Tuesday, Apr. 2^nd when they travel to Lincoln, Ill. To face Lincoln College. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
Game One
The Owls were able to put a couple runs on the board late in the first inning. Emma Walker was able to score the first run for the Owls when Lindy Wilson singled down right field. Alli Massey also scored on the Wilson single to put WWU ahead 2-0.
 
Williams Baptist immediately responded in the bottom of the first when Tori Johnson reached home on a Kaydra Johnson double and put them down 2-1. A few moments later, Cole would reach home plate when Laure Helmich singled deep down left center field and tie the game at 2-2. With the game now tied, WBU would go on to take a 3-2 lead when Maggie Crossno reached home plate; they would gain a two-point lead later in the inning when Laure Helmich scored on a sacrifice fly putting them ahead 4-2.
 
Both them slowed down the next three innings. It wasn't until the bottom of the fourth that another point would be scored. After gaining a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the second, Williams Baptist pushed their lead to 6-2 on two straight runs. They would eventually stretch their lead to 8-2 when Cole and Crossno reached home plate.
 
Finally, at the top of the fifth inning, WWU was able to put their third run on the board when Anna Counts knocked one over the right field fence and put the Owls down 8-3. That would be the only run scored for the Owls in the half inning.
 
After a quick fifth inning, William Woods regained their momentum in the top of the sixth. Emily Robinett, Wilson, and Hanna Knipp all were able to reach home and put WWU down 8-6.  But it would not be enough as the Eagles scored two huge runs late in the bottom of the seventh inning.
 
Williams Baptist went on the win the contest 10-6.
 
Game Two
Williams Baptist for the first to strike a punch in the second game of the day. In the bottom of the second inning, Helmich was able to give the Eagles a 1-0 when she reached home on a Karoline Thomas triple.
 
The game would remain 1-0 until the top of the sixth inning when Anna Counts reached home plate on a sacrifice fly.  
 
The Eagles could not respond in the bottom of the sixth and the game would remain tied 1-1.
 
At the top of the seventh inning, William Woods took off. Regan Wilde was able to give the Owls a 2-1 lead when she reached home on a Chyann Hockett single down right center field. Moments later, Wilson would score the third run for the Owls and give them a 3-1 advantage.
 
Now up 3-1, WWU continued to put runs on the board. Madison Ausfahl was able to stretch the lead to 4-1 on a Walker single down left field. Darcie Depping also reached home plate on the Ausfahl single and put the Owls up 5-1.
 
Williams Baptist could not respond the WWU run, and the Owls would walk away with a 5-1 victory.