SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – William Woods looked to stay hot as they faced another hot opponent in the #5-seeded MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers in a game where both offenses came out firing.
The Pioneers came out of the gate early, scoring 3 runs on back-to-back home runs in the top of the first to go up 3-0 on the Owls. This didn't faze the Owls as a double from
Kaden Kinsler would score Gremillion from second, and a base hit from
Evan Rainey would score Kinsler to cut into the Pioneer lead.
MidAmerica Nazarene would tack on to their lead at the top of the third to keep the Owls on the ropes in the semi-final game. The Owls would answer in a big way with a two-run home run from Kinsler to knot the game up at four apiece.
The Pioneer would stay relentless on the offensive end with another run in the top of the fourth to regain their lead over the Owls. The Owls' offense would finally erupt in their response in the bottom of the inning.
6 Owls would come across home plate in this inning, highlighted by multiple base hits as the party got started with a base hit single from
Jude Gremillion, followed by a single from
Cam Casso that allowed
Ryan Retone to score on an error.
Colby Caton would keep the train rolling with another base hit to score two, followed by a
Jackson Kirn base hit to cap off a 6-run inning.
The Owls' lead would slowly fade as the Pioneers kept scratching at the lead inning after inning until they got within two of the Owls after the top of the seventh.
The Owls bullpen would tighten down the hatches, starting with
Keith Piepmeier coming in for 2.1 innings, striking out 2, and only allowing 2 runs en route to his fourth win of the year.
Parker Austin would come in for 2.0 innings after Piepmeier and strike out 3 and silence the Pioneer offense for his second save of the year, striking out the final two batters.
The Owls would go on to win 10-8 over the Pioneers and advance to the Heart Championship against Mount Mercy University.
