SOFTBALL OPENS CONFERNECE PLAY WITH DOMINATING SWEEP AT SOUTHWESTERN

WINFIELD, Kan. – Avila softball could not have gotten KCAC play off to a better start, sweeping Southwestern on Tuesday, 15-1 and 8-0.

In the five-inning, run-rule victory in the opener, Avila scored multiple runs in four of the five innings, compiled six extra-base hits and stole 11 bases.

The top of the first got Avila on the board with an RBI double from Abi Beaman and a two-run triple from Madison Kelly. Avila was off to an early 3-0 lead.

Avila added a pair in the second – both with two outs – off hits from Emily Branson and Beaman.

The third inning was the most dominant one for Avila: six runs on seven hits while batting around. Kelly and Tehani Chinen hit back-to-back RBI singles, and two batters later, Jordan Pollo knocked in Emily Collins for Avila's third RBI single in four batters.

The Eagles scored two-straight runs on an error and a passed ball to bring their third-inning run total to five.

Emily Branson ended the scoring with Avila's fourth RBI single of the frame. 11-1 Avila after three.

Avila added four insurance runs in the fifth inning to culminate the quick victory. Stephanie Hayes and McKayla Cotton hit back-to-back RBI doubles – while Cotton's XBH scored a pair.

Avila's final run of the game came on a run-scoring groundout from Sophia Medina.

Not only did Cotton drive in a pair of runs at the plate, she also tossed 5.0 dominant innings, allowing just one Moundbuilder run.

Avila's 15 runs scored were its most since putting up 18 against Bethel on April 18, 2025.

Seven different Eagles recorded multiple hits in game one and four different batters drove in two or more runs, led by three from Madison Kelly.

Laila Rueda (three) and Elizabeth Harvey (two) helped Avila steal five of their 11 bases in the contest.

Game two was much of the same for Avila, winning 8-0 on the back of a huge pitching performance.

Sophomore pitcher Faith Heaster dominated in the circle, throwing a complete game shutout with an astonishing 10 strikeouts.

Avila's bats scored four in the top of the first from Beaman, Jaka Sharp and two RBI from Emily Branson.

Another RBI came from Beaman off a sac fly in the fifth inning to go up 5-0.

The Eagles added three more insurance runs in the seventh.

Freshman Piper Greeson scored two on a bases-clearing double and Stephanie Hayes brought Greeson around to score with an RBI groundout two batters later.

Heaster's 10-strikeout performance are the most by an Avila pitcher since March 25, 2025 when McKayla Cotton stuck out 11 Moundbuilder batters at home versus Southwestern.

In total on Tuesday, Abi Beaman and Emily Branson each drove in four runs, Laila Rueda tallied five hits, six stolen bases and six runs scored en route to two wins with 23 total runs. 

Avila will look to take this momentum to Branson this weekend, where they will play four games in the Branson Showtime Classic beginning with a 1:30 first pitch against No. 2 Oklahoma City on Saturday.

(photo credit: Ali Nassir)