Box Score MARSHALL, Mo. - After setting a new program record in a 35-15 win over Missouri Valley College (8-10) last week, William Woods (11-12-1) came up on the short end of a home run derby, falling 24-17 in a game that saw the teams combine for 10 home runs.
Matt Hanson and
Taylor Hopkins each hit dingers for the Owls, but
Jacob McWhirter led the offense, going 3-6 on the day with three RBI.
McWhirter picked up the first of his RBI on the day as part of a three-run second inning for Woods. After back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, McWhirter plated courtesy runner
Rylee Mabe, leaving runners on the corners. After an inopportune double play left
Kaden Kinsler alone on third,
Cade Irwin and
Colby Caton drew consecutive walks to restock the pantry, with
Jack Niggemeier lacing a two-RBI double to right.
MVC wasn't able to answer in the second, but turned on the taps full blast in the bottom of the third. The Vikings pushed eight runs across in the inning, highlighted by a two-RBI shot by Hiroto Kobayashi.
Woods answered with two in the top of the fourth, but another two-RBI banger from Kobayashi was followed by a solo shot for Mason Baer as part of a four-run bottom half for MVC.
Hopkins broke out the boomstick in the top of the fifth, with a three-RBI shot to close the deficit to 12-8, but MVC was able to answer every WWU surge with an equal number over four straight innings. Woods scored two, six and one run in the sixth through eighth respectively, with the Vikings matching stride to leave the Owls in a 24-17 hole heading to the ninth.
Unfortunately, even with aggressive baserunning, Kinsler couldn't convert his leadoff walk into a spark for a rally for Woods.
William Woods returns to Owls Field on Friday for its American Midwest Conference opener against Central Baptist College. Weather-permitting, the Owls are set for a noon Friday doubleheader followed by a single nine-inning game on Saturday. This weekend, the Owls will be honoring the memory of Caleb Easterling, a 2023 signee for Woods who passed in a car accident over the summer.
