FULTON, Mo.- William Woods Baseball (18-15, 11-11 AMC) hosted AMC rival Central Baptist College (20-13, 17-5 AMC) for the first two games of their four-game set Friday at Backer Sports Complex.
In a day that was plagued by 40 miles per hour wind, Woods struggled to keep up with the Mustang offense. In game one the Owls fell 19-6 giving up 18 hits in the seven-inning contest. William Woods kept up the scoring for the early part of the game, plating two runs in each of the first two innings. After not scoring in the third inning, Central Baptist plated four runs in each of the fourth and sixth innings. Woods was able to scratch a run in the bottom half of the fifth inning. CBC exploded for six runs in the top half of the seventh inning, while the Owls could only score one run in the bottom half of the frame. The majority of these runs were credited to their patience at the plate, earning 11 walks on the day. The Owls saw big games from Jacob McWhirter, who went 2-3 with two base hits and a walk, and Jackson Kirn, who corralled his first 3-3 game of the season.
Game two for the Owls saw a tighter contest. The Woods opened up trailing 9-2 after the top half of the fifth inning. The Owls plated three runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning. Transfer junior, Ryan Retone started the offense with a one out single into centerfield. With two outs, and a runner on first, the Owls offense looked to be stifled yet again by the CBC staff. In a 2-1 count, sophomore centerfielder Kaden Kinsler belted a fastball deep into the trees in right center field for a 2-run blast that cut the Mustang lead to five runs. The next hitter, Guelph, Ontario, native Jacob McWhirter, launched his fifth home run of the season to cut the lead to four.
The Owls gave up a lone run in the sixth before scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning. It was centerfielder Kaden Kinsler, who again, brought home two runs for the Woods. Ryan Retone and pinch runner Vincent Pyeatt scored on the line drive to right field. The Owls were able to shut out the Mustangs in the top of the seventh, needing three runs to tie the game.
Jackson Kirn singled with one out to ignite the offense. Third baseman Jared Bendfeld earned a four-pitch walk, followed by another earned walk from pinch hitter Tyler Horton. With one out, and the bases loaded, Woods looked for a big hit to clear the bases and tie the game. However, CBC closer Josh Albat had other plans, striking out the last two hitters to set the score at 10-7 in favor of the Mustangs.
The Owls are back in action Saturday morning, senior day festivities will start at 11:15 a.m. with first pitch set for noon.
