Baseball: Park 7, William Woods

The Owls took two of three games in their American Midwest Conference series with the Pirates despite bowing in Friday's finale at Backer Sports Complex.

William Woods University - which swept Thursday's doubleheader - is now 27-16 on the season and 15-9 in the AMC. Park University is 18-16 overall and 9-15 in conference play.

The Pirates jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first inning, but the Owls got a run back in the bottom of the second. Park made it 3-1 with a run in the fourth, but William Woods tied the game in its half of the inning on junior catcher Zach Smith's two-run home run.

The Pirates took a 5-3 lead with two runs in the fifth and added single runs in the seventh and eighth. The Owls scored their final run in the bottom of the eighth on senior first baseman Tyler Cunningham's RBI double.

Smith went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored as William Woods finished with seven hits. Senior right fielder Nolan Aherin finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Cunningham was 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored once.

Senior starter Dany Paradis-Giroux took the loss, giving up six runs - four earned - on six hits in 6 2/3 innings as the Owls committed four errors. Paradis-Giroux (5-5) struck out two and walked one.

William Woods took the first game of Thursday's doubleheader 12-9 after surging to a 12-0 lead after three innings. The Owls produced a single run in the first before following that with six more in the second.

Senior shortstop Frankie Valle and Cunningham picked up two RBI each to help spur William Woods in the inning. The Owls then piled on five more runs in the third.

Aherin picked up two of his three RBI in the inning as William Woods was in full control.

The Pirates added one run in the fifth before erupting for eight in the sixth, but the Owls were able to hold on for the win.

William Woods collected 12 hits as Valle finished 3-for-3 with a triple, a double and scored three times. Aherin was 3-for-4 with two doubles and scored once.

Junior starter Taran Oulton went five innings to pick up the victory for the Owls, allowing six earned runs on seven hits. Oulton (7-3) had four strikeouts and issued one walk.

William Woods started the second game in a 5-0 hole after the top of the first, but that wouldn't last long as the Owls broke out for six runs in the bottom of the inning to go in front.

Park would once again take the lead in the fourth with a three-run inning, but William Woods answered with six runs in the bottom of the inning to go ahead 12-8. The Pirates would pull within two after scoring single runs in the sixth and eighth.

William Woods would put the game away in the bottom of the eighth with three runs. Park put up its last run in the ninth.

Freshman second baseman Jordan Smith went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI as the Owls collected 13 hits. Valle finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, while senior catcher Josh Nicol was 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Junior Adam Grunden threw five innings in relief of senior starter Ryan Furtney to earn the win for William Woods. Grunden (2-1) allowed three runs - two earned - on seven hits and struck out nine.

The Owls travel to Fayette for a nonconference doubleheader against No. 24 Central Methodist University at 5 p.m. Tuesday.