SOFTBALL SPLITS AT OTTAWA

OTTAWA, Kan. – Avila softball played two at Ottawa on Wednesday, splitting the doubleheader with the Braves.

In the first game of the day, Ottawa used five early runs in the first two innings to take momentum early.

A three-run first inning by Ottawa gave Avila an opportunity to answer back in the top of the second as the Eagles got one run back on a wild pitch.

Ottawa would add two more in the second inning to hold a 5-1 lead after two.

Apart from an RBI single by Madison Kelly in the fifth inning, Avila was unable to put much offense together and fell in the first game of the doubleheader, 5-2.

The Eagles used 5.1 strong innings from Mackenzie Daniels in the second game as Avila looked to split the doubleheader.

For the second game in a row, Ottawa scored the first run, putting up one in the bottom half of the first inning, but Avila would answer back right away with a Kelly RBI double in the second inning.

Kelly would record her third RBI of the day on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning, followed by RBI singles from Emily Branson and Julia Douglass to take a 4-1 lead after four innings.

Avila put up another run in the fifth inning courtesy of an RBI single from Abi Beaman.

In the circle, Daniels allowed just one earned run in 5.1 innings with four strikeouts and notched her fourth win of the season.

Ottawa would get two more back in the bottom of the seventh before Aarilyn Richardson came out of the bullpen to get three outs and notch a save.

Avila left Ottawa with a 5-3 win in game number two.

Weather permitting, Avila's next game is Saturday vs. McPherson.

(photo credit: Issy Aguilar)