COLUMBIA, Mo. — Junior right fielder Hillary Hentges and freshman third baseman Amanda Bouchey hit solo home runs in the top of the second inning as the William Woods University Lady Owls gained a split of Tuesday’s AMC doubleheader with Columbia College by winning the second game 3-2.
William Woods (20-23, 9-9 American Midwest Conference) bounced back after being the victim of a perfect game by Columbia College’s Paxton Welch in a 5-0 loss in the opener.
The Lady Cougars tallied a run in the bottom of the first in the nightcap to go in front, but the Lady Owls quickly pulled even when Hentges deposited a 3-1 pitch over the fence in center to lead off the second. Two batters later, Bouchey launched her solo shot to right on a 1-2 pitch to put William Woods on top at 2-1.
Hentges then gave the Lady Owls a two-run lead with an RBI single in the third. Columbia (21-17, 11-7) added its other run in the fourth.
Hentges finished 2-for-4 as William Woods collected nine hits. Senior left fielder Sydnae Hatton, junior catcher Brailee Schulte and senior second baseman Shelby LeCuru were each 1-for-3.
Junior starter Sierra Jacques went the distance to pick up the victory for the Lady Owls. Jacques allowed two earned runs on seven hits, struck out three and issued three walks.
William Woods was unable to summon any semblance of offense in the first game against Welch, who posted six strikeouts.
Sophomore starter Allison Waskow threw a complete game in taking the loss for the Lady Owls. Waskow gave up five runs — four earned — on seven hits, struck out three and walked two.
William Woods — which has won six of its last eight — returns home for an AMC doubleheader against Harris-Stowe State University at 2 p.m. Friday at Backer Sports Complex. The Lady Owls then host a conference doubleheader against Missouri Baptist University at 1 p.m. Saturday.