SOFTBALL SPLITS WITH MCPHERSON

MCPHERSON, Kan. – Avila softball snapped its brief three-game losing streak with a victory over McPherson on Friday afternoon, taking one of two from the KCAC rivals.

In the opener against the Bulldogs, Avila got off to a hot start with three-straight RBI from Abi Beaman, McKayla Cotton and Madison Kelly.

McPherson got two back in the bottom half but Avila extended its lead in the second with a sac fly from Maya Richards.

The Bulldogs tied it at four after the third inning.

A scoreless fourth preceded two runs from Avila in the fifth and another in the sixth to go up 7-4.

Looking like they were headed towards victory, the Eagles allowed back-to-back RBI hits in the bottom of the sixth to still hold their lead at 7-6.

What was expected to be an insurance run in the top of the seventh put Avila up 8-6 until McPherson loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh with no outs.

A two-RBI single and a walk-off base hit gave the Bulldogs the victory in the opener.

In the second game, Avila got another dominating start in the circle from Faith Heaster, who threw a two-hit shutout, facing just two batters over the minimum and picking up her ninth victory of the season.

Avila's two runs in the game came on back-to-back RBI from Maya Richards and Emily Collins in the third inning.

Thanks to Heaster's dominating start on the rubber, that was all the offense Avila would need.

This is the third time in her last four outings in which Heaster has tossed a shutout and her fifth total time this season. 

The Eagles are back at The Z on Tuesday, playing two against Ottawa beginning at 2 PM.

 (photo credit: Ali Nassir)