Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 OZARK, Mo. - Max Benton struck out six and went the distance in game one for William Woods (7-5) on Friday, as the Owls split a doubleheader with Mission University (6-7).
Woods earned a 5-2 win in game one but dropped game two 8-2.

The hosts opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning, converting back-to-back two-out doubles by Haden Parton and Tate Wheeler. Mission added another run in the bottom of the third, converting a leadoff single by Grant Berryman.

Woods escaped the third with no additional damage, then the teams traded 1-2-3 half-innings in the fourth.

Kaden Kinsler got the Owls moving in the top of the fifth with a one-out solo shot to cut the lead in half. After watching strike one and fouling off back-to-back fastballs, Kinsler was patient enough to hold off on an 0-2 pitch outside. On the 1-2 delivery, Kinsler cranked a towering shot just right of the batter's eye in center. Kamron Morriss followed with a single, with courtesy runner Rylee Mabe scoring as right fielder Landon Richards couldn't handle a single by Taylor Hopkins.

WWU was able to put two runners on in the top of the sixth before a double play kept the game tied at 2-2. Benton retired the side in order in the bottom half of the sixth, bringing Kinsler back to the plate.

Morriss doubled after Kinsler's leadoff single to put runners in scoring position in the top of the seventh. Jacob McWhirter wasted no time in plating his teammates to give Woods a 4-2 lead. Jude Gremillion came in as a pinch runner for McWhirter, with Jack Niggemeier scoring Gremillion with a single up the middle.

Drew Wheeler managed to find a way on base with two outs, as Hopkins couldn't collect the grounder, but Benton settled in and struck out Grant Merryman with four pitches.

Woods managed to pick up nine hits in game two, but aside from one-run innings in the top of the second and top of the fourth, the Owls offense was silent. Mission University made the most of a five-run third inning, holding on for the 8-2 win.

Benton picked up the game one win for WWU, with Peyton Clampitt charged the loss in game two. Woods and Mission will wrap up the four-game set on Saturday with a noon doubleheader.