FULTON, Mo. – William Woods (26-20, 17-11 Heart) would host their final home games of the year as it hosted Missouri Baptist (38-8, 24-4 Heart) in a day where the Owls would earn a series split over the Spartans for the first time since 2012.
Owls were no match for the Spartans' third arm in the rotation as they struggled to get their offense going. The Spartans would continue to tack on runs each inning until the sixth inning.
The Owls struggled to stop their momentum as the Spartans grew their lead to 10-1 at one point in the game. The Owls would try to get their offense going, but nothing would prevail as the Spartans would walk away with a commanding game three win.
The Owls would come out and flip the script on the Spartans in the final game of the series, with the Owls jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a
Cam Casso single to score Gremillion and a
Kaden Kinsler triple the next at bat to give the Owls a 2-0 lead in the first.
They weren't done, as
Evan Rainey sent a fly ball to left field, scoring Kinsler from third to go up 3-0 early against the Spartans. Gremillion would stay hot as a single into center would score Retone from Second to grow the Owls' lead, 4-0.
Freshman
Brayden Groseclose would toe the mound and deliver a phenomenal pitching performance, shutting down the Spartan offense. Groseclose would only allow 6 hits on two walks with one earned run. His defense would have his back with 4 double plays turned in this game.
Owls would continue to add to their lead with a solo home run from
Jackson Kirn in the bottom of the fourth, increasing the Owls' lead to 5-0.
Owls' defense would clamp the hatches down as the Spartans could not get anything going against the Freshmen starter and would fall to the Owls with a Series split.
The Owls would be the only team in the Heart this year to not lose the series against the Spartans as they look to ride this momentum into the Heart of America Conference tournament starting next week.
