SOFTBALL STRETCHES WIN STREAK TO SIX WITH SWEEP OF BETHANY

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Avila softball continued its streak as one of the hottest teams in the conference on Saturday, sweeping Bethany, 8-4 and 5-1.

The Eagles got off to a hot start in the opener, getting a run in the bottom of the first off an RBI double from Abi Beaman to go up 1-0.

The Swedes briefly took the lead in the top of the third off a two-run homer before Avila came right back in the bottom half.

A sacrifice fly from Madison Kelly, an RBI single from Elizabeth Harvey and a two-run base hit from Emily Branson put Avila ahead 5-2 after three.

In the fifth, RBI singles from Branson and Carlee Shelter gave Avila two of its three runs in the inning, to stretch the lead to 8-2.

Bethany got two back in the top of the eighth to shorten the scoreline, but Avila still took game one, 8-4.

McKayla Cotton threw five innings from the rubber, allowing just two runs and striking out four.

Beaman, Branson and Marissa Espinoza each had a pair of hits in the game, while Branson's three RBI were a team-high.

The second game was another solid offensive output from the Eagles.

In the second inning, Branson picked up her fourth RBI of the game. Branson was joined in the third inning with a two-run single from Cotton and another RBI single from Beaman to put Avila up 4-1.

The Eagles got an insurance run in the sixth off a run-scoring single from Espinoza to stretch Avila's lead to 5-1.

Faith Heaster dominated once again in the circle, throwing a complete game victory, allowing zero earned runs en route to Avila's 22^nd win of the season.

In the two games on Saturday, the Avila offense stole 14 bases and had seven different players record at least one RBI. 

Sitting at 22-11 and 11-1 in the KCAC, the Eagles have won six-straight and 12 of their last 13. They will look to continue their winning ways on Wednesday, hosting Oklahoma Wesleyan for a pair at The Z beginning at 2 PM.

 (photo credit: Shomari Finch)