O'Fallon, Mo.- William Woods University (24-24-1, #4 Seed AMC) played the most comprehensive baseball game that they could but fell short to Columbia College (38-14) 8-7 in ten innings on day two of the conference tournament.
 
William Woods came out the gate firing in this elimination game, plating the first run of the ball game just two batters in when Colby Caton doubled down the left field line to score Kaden Kinsler. The Cougars responded in the bottom half hitting a lead off home run to even the score. Owls hurler Max Benton was able to retire the next three batters holding the game at one run.
 
Neither team scratched the scoring column again until the third inning when Woods crossed the plate three times. The inning's scoring started to form when Colby Caton hit a one out single to centerfield. Matt Hanson reached on an error, and Jacob McWhirter walked loading the bases for catcher Kamron Morriss. In a two-two count Morris roped a ball into centerfield for a 2 RBI base knock. Senior outfielder Jack Niggemeier also worked a two-two count and brought home McWhirter on a line drive to left. The Owls finished the frame leading by three runs.

The Cougars plated two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the Owl lead to just one run. However, William Woods plated two runs in the seventh inning to restore the lead back to three runs. Again, the senior pair of Morriss and Niggemeier would bring in these runs on consecutive balls to the outfield. Morriss singled on a line drive to right field that scored Kinsler, while Niggemeier brought home Matt Hanson on his ball deep up the middle that was cut off on an amazing play by Columbia shortstop Devin Lopez.
 
The Owls, holding a six to three lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, ran reliable arm Max Benton back to the mound to face the heart of the Cougar lineup which he had faired well against all day. Benton, who finished the game with seven innings of work striking out three and scattering four hits, hit the lead off hitter in the inning and Coach Cavness elected to go to the bullpen. The call to the bullpen would be answered by William Woods Closer Jackson Truesdell. The Cougars battled back to score three runs in the frame to tie the game at six runs apiece.

In the ninth inning, both teams threatened to score but could not cross the finish line with two fireballers on the mound in Truesdell and Columbia arm Pierce Hartmann. The Owls brought in the go ahead run in the top of the tenth on the back of Colby Caton. In a one-one count, Caton barreled a ball to centerfield that scored Taylor Hopkins from second who reached base on a catchers interference call.

In the bottom of the tenth inning, the Columbia shortstop hit a leadoff single. Truesdell was able to get the next two batters out before setting up a match up with slugger Cayden Nicoletto. The Cougars left fielder is arguably one of the best hitters in the NAIA coming into the game hitting .426 and launching 27 home runs on the year. Truesdell threw a four-seam fastball at 91 mph on the hands that Nicoletto barreled over the wall to hit a two-run walkoff home run.
 
The Owls finish their season at an even 24-24-1, but competed until the last runner crossed the plate. Woods is returning several key players, including the entire starting rotation. They will open next spring for their last season of AMC play as they transition into the Heart of America Conference in 2026.
 
 
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