W Softball splits doubleheader with Webster to stay atop SLIAC standings

The W softball team remains in first place in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference after splitting a doubleheader with Webster University on Saturday. The Owls lost the first game 3-2 but won the second game by the same score, according to school officials.

MUW is now 13-11 overall and 9-1 in the conference. Webster improved to 15-18 overall and 8-2 in the SLIAC. In the first game, the Owls scored single runs in the first and second innings. Kaylee Crawford drove in the first run with an RBI single, and an error allowed MC Brown to score after Brianna Byrd’s single. Webster tied the game in the third and took the lead in the fourth.

Despite opportunities in the final three frames, MUW could not capitalize. Crawford doubled to lead off the fifth but was stranded. Crawford, Brooklyn Rhodes, and Byrd each went 2-for-3 in game one. Rhodes took the loss, falling to 4-5 on the season after pitching four innings, allowing six hits and striking out three.

The second game was a pitchers’ duel between MUW’s Trinity Garvin and Webster’s Madi Stitchling. The Gorloks scored first in the fifth inning. The Owls responded with two runs in the bottom half, aided by an error and an RBI groundout by Gillion Eaves. MUW added an insurance run in the sixth when Kaitlyn Bearley scored from third on a bases-loaded fielder’s choice.

Garvin pitched six innings for MUW, earning her fifth win of the season. Crawford recorded her first save as an Owl. Three Owls had multi-hit games, including Byrd, Owen, and Brown. The team’s next game is scheduled for Tuesday.

Source: Original Article