(RV) Avila Swamps Southwestern, Improves to 10-0 in Conference

WINFIELD, Kan. – The (RV) Avila softball headed west to Winfield to face off with a struggling Southwestern squad on Wednesday afternoon, and the Eagles (23-9, 10-0 KCAC) more than took care of business, scoring a total of 28 runs to win both games over the Moundbuilders (2-20, 0-10 KCAC) and remain unbeaten in KCAC competition this season.

There's no secret that Southwestern has struggled this season, especially with their pitching, but as Avila well knows, there's rarely such a thing as a day off in the KCAC with the league as even as it is. The Moundbuilders had their moments Wednesday, shrugging off a run-rule loss in game one to really give the Eagles a fight in game two. But though the score was tied early, the Eagles opened things up in the middle innings and ultimately cruised to their second straight lopsided win.

It was all in a day's work for the Eagles, who followed up a 13 runs on 13 hits performance in a five-inning affair in game one by belting out 15 more runs on a whopping 23 hits, by far a new season high in that department, to sweep the doubleheader. Seven of those runs and eight of those hits came in the seventh inning, so there was no early end for Southwestern in the second game, but it mattered little. And it was once again a real showcase of Avila's depth and talent across the board: a couple of players had big days at the plate, but it was a true team effort as well. In game one, ten Eagles recorded either one or two hits and eight Eagles crossed home plate; in game two, eight Eagles drove in at least one run and ten different players scored.

Even with all the offense, this day was a testament to the impact of good pitching. Jordan Gates has by far been the Builders' best pitcher this season, and though her numbers on Wednesday won't be beautiful, her impact was obvious. She gave up runs in both games, but before she entered game one and after she exited game two, it was open season for the Eagle offense.

Avila meanwhile, got the good pitching that they needed to complete the sweep. McKayla Cotton took a no-hitter into the fourth in game one and settled for a two-hit shutout over four before Aarilynn Richardson tossed a flawless fifth to wrap up the 13-0 win. Game two was tied at two apiece after three innings before Ka'Zem Wood broke the game open with a two-run double off reliever Addison Johnson, and the Eagles never looked back.

Avila scored the final 13 runs of the second game to leave that early deadlock way behind in the rearview mirror, and Madyson Withey made sure to silence Southwestern after they looked capable in the early goings. Withey fired four scoreless innings of relief to earn the win before Richardson once again wrapped things up with a scoreless frame to close out the 15-2 win and a doubleheader sweep.

Ka'Zem Wood had an incredible pair of games for the Eagles to lead the charge on offense. In game one, Wood recorded a single and a double with three RBI and two runs scored, and followed that with a 4-for-5 performance in game two which included an inside-the-park home run and a career-best five runs driven in. In total, she drove in eight runs on the day and scored five of Avila's 28.

Elsewhere on down the line, Katie Wentworth and Hallie Campbell both recorded a pair of hits and scored two runs in game one; Brooke Belflower and Chelsea Kurtz combined for five hits, four RBI and three runs in game two; Kennedee Lara had an excellent pair of games out of the nine-spot, including four hits and three runs scored in game two; and Madison Wilson drove in a total of three runs off the bench.

Still unblemished at 10-0 in league play to begin the 2024 campaign, Avila will next return home to The Z this Saturday, March 30 to welcome Sterling to town for another KCAC doubleheader. The pair of games is slated to begin at noon; as always, you can watch all the action live and for free on the Avila Sports Network.