FORT WORTH, Texas – William Woods opened the 2026 season at the Texas Roundup with a split against Sterling College (3-5) on Saturday, dropping game one 12-7 before responding with a dramatic 10-7 win in game two to move to 1-1 on the year.
The Owls wasted no time getting on the board, scoring in both the first and second innings to build early momentum.
Cam Casso highlighted the fast start with a two-run RBI single in the second, giving Woods a 3-0 advantage.
Sterling answered in a big way, erupting for five runs in the third inning to grab its first lead of the day. William Woods clawed back in the fifth when
Kaden Kinsler ripped a triple to drive in two and even the game. Momentum stayed fleeting, however, as Sterling plated three runs in the bottom half of the inning to regain control at 10-6. Despite late pressure from the Owls, Sterling closed out the opener with a 12-7 victory.
Redshirt sophomore
Gavin Allen started the season on the mound, tossing 3.2 innings and striking out two. Casso paced the offense with three hits, while
Ryan Retone and
Jackson Kirn each added two.
Game two mirrored the opener early, with both teams trading runs and refusing to give an inch. The Owls sparked a key rally in the fifth as
Aidan Gaither opened the frame with a base hit. Disciplined at-bats followed, as Woods capitalized on a walk and a Sterling error to take a 4-3 lead.
Sterling responded yet again, briefly reclaiming the advantage, but
Jude Gremillion delivered a clutch two-run single to put the Owls back in front, 6-5. Sterling tied the game in the bottom of the inning, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
In the final inning, Woods put together quality at-bats before
Kaden Kinsler stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and delivered the decisive blow, launching a grand slam to give the Owls a commanding 10-6 lead.
Freshman
Brayden Groseclose earned the start in game two, going 4.1 innings with five strikeouts.
Ayden Gates shut the door out of the bullpen, tossing two scoreless innings and striking out three to secure the win.
William Woods will wrap up the Texas Roundup with a nine-inning match-up against host Texas Wesleyan Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
