William Woods tallies run in ninth to earn AMC split

Senior right fielder Nick Spagnola scored the winning run on a fortuitous dropped third strike in the ninth inning to direct the Owls to a 5-4 American Midwest Conference win over the Trojans on Saturday at Backer Sports Complex.

Locked in a 4-all tie, Spagnola smacked a one-out triple to right center to represent the potential winning run. Sophomore designated hitter Konrad Kemper appeared to strike out swinging, but the ball was dropped by the Hannibal-LaGrange catcher, prompting Kemper to take off for first base.

The errant throw to first allowed Spagnola to scamper home and end the game.

William Woods (26-9, 13-6) tied the game with four runs in the bottom of the eighth, squaring the contest at 4-all on senior center fielder Cody Stewart's RBI double to left.

The Trojans (15-23, 8-13 AMC) scored twice in the first, added a run in the third and wrapped up their scoring with one in the seventh.

Senior reliever Dylan Hastings struck out two and walked one in two innings to pick up the win.

Stewart and Spagnola each were 2-for-4 to pace the Owls' 10-hit attack. Junior catcher Grant Garrett finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs.

William Woods committed four errors in dropping its opening tilt 10-6. Stewart was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, senior first baseman Dustin Kremer was 2-for-4 and junior left fielder Larry Price was 2-for-3 with three runs scored and a steal to cap off the Owls' nine-hit game.

Senior Adam Brush took the loss in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out four, but allowed four runs (one earned) on three hit, while yielding a walk.

William Woods' non-conference doubleheader against Avila University scheduled for Wednesday will be played at Saucier Field at Westminster College.

Games will begin at 5 and 7 p.m., respectively.

Hannibal-LaGrange opened up a 4-2 lead with six runs in the top of the seventh. The Owls wrapped up their offense with four runs in the bottom of the inning.