STRONG PITCHING AND TIMELY HITTING HELP SOFTBALL TO TWO WINS OVER MCPHERSON

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Coming off a three-game losing streak, Avila softball has now won three-straight after sweeping the doubleheader versus McPherson on Sunday afternoon, 4-2 and 5-3.

The games were delayed by 24 hours due to weather in the Kansas City area, but the two KCAC rivals showed no rust on Sunday.

Avila used great pitching from McKayla Cotton and timely hitting to take the first game.

Freshman Abi Beaman opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo home run to right field. The third inning saw Julia Douglass plate another with an RBI single to right field.

Through three, Avila held a 2-0 lead.

McPherson's only runs of the day came when they tied the game in the fifth inning on a two-run single. From there, Avila would answer back immediately and continue to see strong pitching from Cotton.

In the bottom half of the fifth, Julia Douglass would score Cerina Natal on a perfectly-placed sacrifice fly, with Maya Richards also scoring on the play on a bad throw following the sacrifice.

Cotton would allow three more hits in the final two innings, but none of the baserunners would come around to score as the Eagles held on for a 5-3 victory.

Game number two on the day saw more quality starting pitching and well-placed hitting to lead Avila to the doubleheader sweep.

Mackenzie Daniels threw five scoreless innings before letting in three in the sixth inning. A quality six-inning, three-run start is exactly what the Eagles needed to close out the day.

Avila's offense turned it on with a big fourth inning.

With the bases loaded, Beaman came through – just like the first game – with a two-RBI single up the middle.

After a Bulldog pitching change, Jordy Pollo would score on a wild pitch and Ka'Zem Wood picked up an RBI, plating Beaman on a groundout to the pitcher.

McPherson hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning. As has been the case for the home portion of the season, Avila answered back with an immediate insurance run.

Stephanie Hayes scored Maya Richards on an RBI double down the left field line to give Avila and closer Aarilynn Richardson some breathing room in the seventh.

Richardson came on and got three quick outs despite a leadoff single. Richardson shut the game down, picking up the save on a 5-3 victory and doubleheader sweep.

In the doubleheader, Beaman finished her two games with three hits and three RBI, while Douglass had two RBI and a run scored and Maya Richards led all Eagles with three runs scored on the day.

Avila is back on the field on Tuesday at home, taking on Evangel for a doubleheader beginning at 2 PM at The Z.