FULTON, Mo.- The Owls (9-9, 3-5 AMC) struggled to get things going offensively against Mission University (11-2, 7-1 AMC) this weekend as they fell 3-1 in the four-game set. The Woods split day one before losing two games on day two.
Game one of the double-header ended in just an hour and forty-two minutes. Both Owls right-hander Max Benton and Patriots #3 starter Trey Mulholland filled up the strike zone throwing over seventy percent of pitches over home plate. Mission lit up the board first scoring in the top of the third inning before tallying five insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning. The Pats right-hander held the Woods to just four hits, allowing no runs to score in the first contest of the day.
In game two, the Owls scored first tallying one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jude Gremillion, a junior outfielder from Pride, La., hit a two-out, bases loaded infield chopper that resulted in all runners being safe. Mission was able to take the lead in the top of the sixth inning using three hits and two miscues from the Woods defense to push across two runs in the frame.
The Owls, down a run in the bottom of the sixth, were able to plate a lone run in the inning deadlocking the game at two runs apiece. Again, it was Jude Gremillion who put a ball in play with the bases loaded to bring home Kaden Kinsler who reached base on a single to lead off the frame. The Patriots answered with two runs in the top of the seventh inning, just needing three outs in the bottom half to win the series.
Woods started the inning hot when second baseman Ryan Retone was beaned to leadoff the frame. The next hitter, Jackson Kirn, was able to work a 5-pitch walk setting the Owls up with runners at first and second and no outs. Two hitters later, the Owls had runners at first and second with two outs and slugger Jacob McWhirter at the dish. McWhirter hit a single to deep shortstop, loading the bases. With two outs and ducks on the pond, the Owls were in a make-or-break situation to stay in the ballgame. After working a full count, strike three was called on a pitch located on the outer black of the strike zone to end the Owls late rally and cement a 3-2 win for the Patriots.
The Owls arms were solid throughout the day racking up 12 strikeouts and allowing just two walks. Offensively, Woods hit .118 with runners in scoring position despite tallying 10 hits on the double-header.
William Woods travels to St. Louis next weekend to take on AMC opponent Harris-Stowe State University. The Owls lead the all-time series 49-25, winning the last eight matchups between the two schools. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday afternoon at historic Stars Baseball Field on the campus of Harris-Stowe.
