Softball Earns Split with (RV) OKWU

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Powered by a couple of clutch hits from the offense and another strong pitching performance from Payton Walter, Avila softball (22-14, 10-4 KCAC) handled (RV) Oklahoma Wesleyan (28-8, 12-4 KCAC) in game one before OKWU rebounded to win game two, giving Avila a split against one of the KCAC's best teams on Saturday in Oklahoma.

The Avila Eagles had to make the long trip out to Oklahoma to face one of the best teams in the region on Saturday and acquitted themselves very nicely in game one before the KCAC's other Eagle team proved their worth in game two: in two totally opposite games, Avila won game one 7-1 before OKWU claimed game two 8-0 in six innings.

The Avila offense was ready to roll in game one Saturday. Stephanie Hayes led off the second inning with a solo home run off OKWU ace Maddy Weise, and that was just the beginning. Avila threatened and didn't score in the fourth but that set the stage for four runs on four hits in the fifth to break the game open. Kennedee Lara and Chelsea Kurtz singled and Ka'Zem Wood walked to load the bases with one out, and Brooke Belflower cleared the bases with a single to left, scoring all three runners with the help of an OKWU error. Hayes then drove in Belflower to cap off the scoring, giving the visitors a 5-0 lead.

OKWU responded with a run in the bottom of the fifth, but that was all the Eagles would get against Payton Walter, who was excellent again. Avila countered that run with two in the sixth, with Hayes driving in Kurtz and Julia Douglass driving in Belflower to put the game out of reach. Walter shut down OKWU over the final two innings, sealing an impressive 7-1 victory for Avila.

Both Belflower and Hayes drove in three runs in the game, and combined for five hits and three runs scored. Walter was excellent for the second time this week, allowing just one run on four hits over seven full innings. In seven KCAC starts this season, Walter is now 6-1 with six complete games.

Saturday's second game went a little differently from the first. Oklahoma Wesleyan erupted for six runs over the first two innings to more than set the tone, and Avila was unable to rally against likely First Team All-KCAC pitcher Salem Liebenthal, who struck out nine batters and allowed only six hits in the game. A base hit from Gentry Shepherd in the sixth inning provided the final margin in an 8-0 win for Oklahoma Wesleyan in six innings.

Up next, Avila softball will return home for a pair of KCAC doubleheaders at The Z this week, starting with McPherson on Thursday, April 13. First pitch in that doubleheader is slated for 2 PM; as always, you can watch all the action live and for free on the Avila Sports Network.