LEAVENWORTH, Kan.- William Woods University (19-18-1, 6-6 AMC) defeated The University of St. Mary (16-23, 10-16 KCAC) on Wednesday afternoon by a score of 14-9. The offenses for both teams combined for 23 runs, 24 hits, and 14 walks throughout the nine-inning contest.

The Spires opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first after an RBI single. Starting pitcher Wyatt Fischer was able to settle in and record the final two outs of the inning setting up a good open for the Owls bullpen day on the mound.

William Woods responded in the top of the second, scoring five runs in the frame. The inning led of with senior catcher Kamron Morriss hammering a hanging breaking ball for a single to left field. Sean Goings and Taylor Hopkins reached on a walk and a hit by pitch, respectively. AJ Willenberg hit a hard ground ball to the shortstop which drove in Nolan Riechers, Kamron Morriss' courtesy runner, before the shortstop threw the ball away allowing Goings to score on the play and Willenberg advanced to second base. Jack Niggemeier would drive in Willenberg on a ground ball to the third baseman to score the third run of the inning for the Owls. Matt Hanson would bring in the final two runs of the inning on a line drive to centerfield scoring a pair of freshman Owls Kaden Kinsler and Colby Caton.

The Spires answered back in the bottom half of the frame putting up three runs on relief arms. The top of the third for The Woods resembled that of the second as they scored four runs in the inning.  Colby Caton singled a line drive to centerfield scoring Kamron Morriss. The highlight of the inning was a triple down the right field line off the bat of Kaden Kinsler scoring AJ Willenberg and Colby Caton. Team captain Jack Niggemeier would tally the last RBI of the frame as he drove in Kinsler on a single to right field.

The Owls arm barn would be able to hold St. Mary off the board until the bottom of the sixth when the Spires were able to scratch three runs on the frame. All was quiet on the offensive side of things until the eighth inning when William Woods was able to plate two runs in the inning. Jack Niggemeier hit his third single of the game scoring Vincent Pyeatt who came in to hit for Colby Caton. The Owls were able to load the bases again when Cade Irwin, pinch hitting for Jacob McWhirter, was able to hit a SAC fly scoring Kinsler.

The Owls offense was on fire again in the top of the ninth scoring three runs in the last frame. Taylor Hopkins was able to earn a walk and steal second base when AJ Willenberg barreled a line drive to left scoring Hopkins. Jack Niggemeier would rope his third hit of the day to right field scoring Willenberg. A wild pitch later and Vincent Pyeatt would cross the plate scoring the third run of the inning. The Spires were able to plate two runs in the bottom half of the ninth, both unearned. William Woods would hold on to win the game 14-9.

The Owls are back in action at Backer Sports Complex this Friday for a 6 p.m. start against conference opponent Harris-Stowe State, Woods will look to improve its conference standing going into the last three weekends of conference play. This weekend also marks senior day on Saturday where Woods will recognize the seniors who are in their final year of participation.