Courtesy Williams Baptist College Athletics Department
Walnut Ridge, Ark. – The 14th ranked Williams Baptist College Lady Eagles softball team played four games last week against the Lady Mustangs of Central Baptist College. CBC came into the week ranked sixth in the latest NAIA national poll. Williams swept all four games, however, winning both games at CBC, 2-0 and 4-3, and then both games in Walnut Ridge, 2-0 and 6-3.
The games at CBC were played Tuesday in Conway, Ark., and the games in Walnut Ridge were played Saturday. The wins improved WBC’s record against NAIA top 10 teams to 5-0 on the season and extended their winning streak to 13 games. They are now 15-1 on the season.
“We are playing well. CBC is a great program and any time you can get some wins against them it makes you feel good,” said Head Coach Eric Newell.
Senior pitcher Karisa Hendrix pitched two complete game shutouts, game one and game three. In game one, she allowed one hit and struck out five batters from the circle. The flamethrower also earned a save in both games two and four after coming in to close the games.
Hendrix did not give up a run during the week. She now has three saves on the season and she has won eight games, while only dropping one. She has struck out 80 batters in 61 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting a mere .118 against her.
Sophomore pitcher Shelby Anderson earned the wins in games two and four, improving her record to 7-0. She allowed four earned runs in her 12 and 2/3 innings pitched.
Anderson also remained hot from the plate, going 5-for-11 with a home run and two runs batted in. It was her seventh home run on the season and 17th RBI. Her home run total ranks second in the NAIA, and she is averaging a home run every 6.4 at bats.
Sophomore Callie Simmons and junior Kirsten Gipson both hit home runs this week. It was Simmons’ first on the year and Gipson’s second. Gipson finished the week 4-for-6 from the plate with four runs batted in and three runs scored. She finished a triple short of the cycle in game four.
“We have two experienced aces in the circle. Defensively, we have been playing well with only a couple mistakes, but by-and-large we have been solid,” said Newell.
Williams will begin American Midwest Conference play on Wednesday, March 13, when it travels to Columbia, Mo., for a doubleheader against Columbia College, beginning at 1 p.m. Columbia is receiving votes for the NAIA top 25.
“Columbia is very talented and we are going to have our hands full. We are going to try and get off to a good start in conference,” said Newell.
WBC will return home on Friday, March 15, for two games against AMC foe Missouri Baptist University. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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