SHAWNEE, Kan.- William Woods University softball (3-5) participated in the TopGun Showcase Tournament in Shawnee, Kansas, over the weekend. The Owls split on the day against two KCAC opponents, with a win versus Friends University (7-8) and loss against Oklahoma Wesleyan (9-0).
Game one saw OKWU jump out to an early 2-0 lead after a double in the gap in the top of the first. A lead that the Eagles would not surrender for the duration of the game as the Owls struggled offensively.
The second inning saw Oklahoma Wesleyan widen the gap. A pair of hits and a miscue by The Woods defense allowed five Eagle runners to cross the plate in the frame. OKWU tacked on another run in the bottom top of the fourth, extending their lead to 8-0. The Eagles scored the final run in the top of the fifth on a pinch hit single from Gustus, to seal a 9-0 short game victory for Oklahoma Wesleyan.
The 30-minute hiatus was just what the Owls needed, taking a 4-1 extra innings victory over Friends University. The game was quite until the fifth inning when Sammy Lohnes returned a fastball right back up the middle for a base hit that scored Emily Burke. The second baseman, Burke, reached base on a groundball through the gap in the right side of the infield before advancing to second a walk from Addison Kusgen.
The Falcons were able to scratch a run in the bottom half of the frame to even the game at one run. The Friend's leadoff hitter rattled a base knock and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. After a walk from the eight-hole and a base knock from the nine-hole; the Falcons were loaded with only one out in the inning. Owls' hurler, Taylor Baumhoer, was able to fan the leadoff hitter for the Falcons before walking in the lone run of the game for Friends.
After a scoreless sixth and seventh innings, the game entered extras tied at one. The international tie breaking rule placed Lohnes at second with Mariah Prince at the plate. Prince singled to left, leaving the go-ahead run just 60 feet away. Lexi Lewis advanced both runners on a groundout to the right side, giving the Owls the 2-1 advantage. Ella Aguiar and Addie Rhea both singled to centerfield, growing The Woods' lead to two runs. The final run in the inning came off the bat of Myla Inman, who knocked in Ella Aguiar before a baserunning blunder that ended the inning for the Owls offense.
Baumhoer was able to keep a clean inning in the bottom half, after a leadoff walk, to cement the 4-1 win for the Owls. The sophomore pitched all eight innings, tallying a remarkable 10 strikeouts and only giving up two hits on the day.
The Owls return to play next week in Gulf Shores, Alabama, for six away games during spring break. Stay tuned to wwuowls.com for game results and scorelines.
