WALNUT RIDGE, Ark.- After a rough start to their AMC schedule, The Owls bounced back and evened their record at 2-2. William Woods (8-6, 2-2 AMC) rallied back today as they beat Williams Baptist (9-3) in both games of the double header. The Woods tallied nine hits in the contests and showed dominating pitching prowess throughout the day.
"We are continuing finding our identity offensively." stated head coach John Cavness. "It's been a challenge finding the right mix with the number of hitters we have. Our pitching staff has stayed within themselves with food starts from Benton and Vasquez today."
The Owls cracked the scoring column first, plating a lone run in the top of the second inning. With two outs, right fielder, Jackson Kirn singled to centerfield. A runner on, and a 2-1, gave way to an inside fastball that was lifted past the centerfielder off the bat of second baseman Ryan Retone. The Eagles scored their run in the bottom of the third inning, thanks to a long ball from centerfielder Cody Jones; tying the game at 1.
William Woods answered back in the top of the fourth inning, cementing their 2-1 victory in game one of the doubleheader. Sophomore standout Kaden Kinsler brought home the winning run for the Owls on a bases-loaded sac fly to left field that scored Jackson Kirn who led off the frame with a single to center field.
Earning the win for the Owls on the hill was Max Benton. The senior right hander from Prince Edward Island, gave up just one run on two hits, while striking out six in his complete game victory.
In game four of the series, the Owls looked to even up their AMC record against Eagle right hander Skylar Morrison. William Woods was held off the board in the first three innings of the contest, only getting one runner on base. However, in the top of the fourth inning Kaden Kinsler got The Woods on the base paths knocking a one out single to right field. The next hitter, Jacob McWhirter, had to wait in the box as Morrison attempted to pick off the speedy centerfielder three times in the at bat. After watching a ball called, McWhirter launched a long fly ball over the opposite field wall for a two-run shot giving the Owls the lead. The WBU offense was able to get both runs back in the bottom half of the frame knocking two doubles in the inning.
With the game tied at two, William Woods looked to score some runs in the top half of the seventh inning. And score some runs they did, plating two in the frame. Leading off the inning, AJ Willenberg, a senior from O'Fallon, Mo., belted a double over the head of the Eagles' left fielder. Tyler Horton, the next Owls batter, brought home the run from second base which was pinch runner Ben Kern who had stepped in for Willenberg.
Stepping in for Horton at first base would be pinch runner Vincent Pyeatt. The Owls, looking to add an insurance run, chose to sacrifice bunt with freshman Cam Casso moving Pyeatt into scoring position with just one out. On a 2-1 count Ryan Retone delivered for The Woods barreling a base hit deep into the hole at shortstop to land runners on the corners for Colby Caton. Designated hitter Caton plated the second run of the inning for the Owls offense on a sacrifice fly to deep rightfield that scored Pyeatt.
Williams Baptist, now down 4-2, looked to tie the game in the seventh to prevent William Woods from completing the series draw. The Eagles leadoff hitter in the frame, Luke Bullins, belted a solo-shot on the first pitch of the frame. Despite the run scoring, WBU was not able to mount the comeback as the Owls go on to win 4-3.
William Woods is back in action next weekend as they take on AMC newcomer Mission University (Formerly Baptist Bible College) in a four-game set at Backer Sports Complex.
