Softball Wins Three Games at Friends Invitational

WICHITA, Kan. – Avila softball hit six home runs – including four from Brooke Belflower alone – and erupted for 43 runs over four games, powering the Eagles (11-5) to an impressive 3-1 weekend at the Friends Softball Invitational this weekend in Wichita.

It wasn't the highest level of competition the Eagles have faced to this point in the season, but Avila took full advantage of their opponents, scoring exactly 12 runs in each of their three wins and nearly rallying to win the fourth before ultimately falling just short and losing by a single run. Regardless of any other factors, it was an impressive weekend of results for a team that's played very well overall to start the 2023 season.

Avila began its weekend against Hannibal-LaGrange on Friday afternoon, and the Eagles wasted no time imposing their will on the Trojans. Julia Douglass got the scoring started with a two-run homer in the first inning and Brooke Belflower followed with one of her own in the second, staking the Eagles to a massive 6-0 lead early.

The third inning was the only inning Avila didn't score, and the Eagles scored three in both the fourth and the fifth, getting RBI from five different players, to speed walk to a 12-1 run-rule victory to begin the weekend. Belflower finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and four runs scored; Samantha Smith allowed one run over four innings to earn the win before Katie Cook tossed a scoreless fifth to seal the deal.

Up next, Avila faced Mount Marty later on Friday, an NAIA Tournament team from the season prior. This time Avila had to rally back from an early deficit after the Lancers hit a pair of run-scoring doubles to go up 3-0 after the first inning. Maya Richards brought one back with an RBI in the second but Mount Marty pushed across two unearned runs in the third to go up 5-1.

That's when the Eagle offense took over. After being held scoreless in the first inning, Avila scored at least one run in every inning the rest of the way. Trailing 5-1, the Eagles ripped off the next 11 runs in a row, ultimately tying the game on a wild pitch and taking the lead in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Ka'Zem Wood. The Lancers did not help their own cause – Avila was credited with just five RBI on 12 total runs – but Avila did not mind in what finished as a 12-6 win for the Eagles.

Five different Eagles crossed home plate twice in the game, and Kat Wilds led the charge with a pair of hits, including a triple, off the bench. It technically wasn't a complete game but Payton Walter recorded every out for the Eagles and was charged with just three earned runs in the win.

Avila was supposed to start its Saturday against Kansas Christian, but the Falcons had to back out of the tournament at the last minute, so into that spot stepped Mount Marty to face the Eagles for the second time in about 17 hours. Once again, the Lancers got off to a hot start, scoring three in the first and leading 4-1 after two.

Avila once again rallied, pulling within 4-3 after a solo shot from Belflower and an RBI single from Talley Cole, but the Lancers scored four in the fifth to move back in front 8-4. The Eagles had one more rally in them, courtesy of Julia Douglass, who doubled home a run in the fifth and doubled in two more runs in the seventh to get Avila back within one – but the Eagles left the tying run on second in the bottom of the seventh, and Mount Marty held on dearly for an 8-7 win despite a late Avila rally.

After some delays, the Eagles then closed their weekend by facing Peru State on Saturday afternoon. There was a ton of offense early in this game: both teams scored at least one run in each of the first eight half innings, but the combination of Walter and Cook kept the Bobcats off the board over the final three frames to preserve Avila's advantage.

In reality, the Eagles led for the entire game, though the Bobcats did make it interesting at some points. Belflower hit her third homer of the week to put Avila up 4-1 early and though Peru State pulled one back in the second, a two-run single by Ellysa Butterfield helped give the Eagles some separation.

PSC once again rallied, scoring three in the third to pull within 7-5, but Wood delivered the always unique inside-the-park home run in the fourth, driving in three runs to keep Avila in front for good. One more run-scoring hit from Douglass and one more long ball from Belflower were enough to add some insurance, wrapping up a 12-6 win for the Eagles in a 3-1 weekend.

Wood and Belflower combined for four hits, six RBI and five runs scored, and Chelsea Kurtz went 4-for-5 with three runs scored and a whopping six steals in her return to the lineup.

Up next, Avila softball has a little time off before the Eagles embark on their big Spring Break in the Southeast trip next week. Avila is slated to play eight games against five teams over five days and across two states starting next Monday, March 13, with their toughest test of the season: No. 4 Southeastern. Stay tuned to avilaathletics.com for details on how to watch and follow along all week long.