Courtesy Williams Baptist College Athletics Department
Walnut Ridge, Ark. – A big reason why the Williams Baptist College Lady Eagles are up to seventh in the latest NAIA national softball poll is pitching and defense. The ace duo of Karisa Hendrix and Shelby Anderson remained dominate Saturday, March 23, as the team traveled for an American Midwest Conference doubleheader against Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, Mo. The duo pitched back-to-back no-hitters, including a perfect game by Hendrix.
Hendrix, a senior from Cherokee Village, Ark., threw game one from the circle and did not allow a ball out of the infield. It was Hendrix’s first perfect game as a Lady Eagle. Of the 15 batters she faced, the flamethrower struck out nine. The win improved her season record to 11-1. She has not allowed a run since March 1, a streak which includes 40.1 innings pitched. Opponents have a measly .115 batting average against her on the season and she has struck out 95 batters in 84.2 innings on the season.
“I realized in the fourth inning that I had a perfect game going, and I almost had a panic attack. But I kept telling myself that the important thing is the win and not to focus on a perfect game,” said Hendrix, “The offense and my teammates did a good job relieving some of the pressure by making plays defensively and scoring nine runs.”
To go along with the stellar pitching and defense, WBC’s offense provided nine runs on eight hits. All-American centerfielder Felicia Woodard went 3-for-3 from the dish with three runs scored in game one. Also, Callie Brooks and Hayley Overbay drove in two runs a piece, combining to go 2-for-4. Shelby Anderson drove in three runs to bring her season total to 26, which leads the Lady Eagles.
Game two was much of the same for Williams but with Anderson in the circle instead of Hendrix. She did not allow a hit or walk in the game. The only base runner reached via an error on Anderson. She struck out four of the 15 batters she faced to improve to 10-0 on the season.
The offense remained hot in game two, as well. Callie Brooks provided a first inning grand slam to give WBC an early 4-0 lead. Woodard would continue her sizzling play at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBI’s in the contest. She has now had a hit in six straight at-bats and 15 of her last 21 plate appearances. The All-American added a triple, double and stolen base in the game.
Williams scored nine runs on 11 hits for its second straight 9-0 victory.
The Lady Eagles improved their winning streak to 19 games. The team’s overall record is 21-1 and 4-0 in the AMC.
Williams will host AMC foe Stephens College on Tuesday, March 26, in a doubleheader that begins at 2 p.m. The games will be played at the Lady Eagle softball field in Walnut Ridge.
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