KA’ZEM WOOD HELPS SOFTBALL TO SPLIT IN DAY ONE OF NAIA INVITATIONAL

SHAWNEE, Okla. – Avila traveled to slightly warmer temperatures this weekend for the NAIA Invitational, beating Montreat 8-3 before falling to NAIA No. 3 Cumberlands, 9-1 on Saturday.

Hitting the field for the first time in two weeks, the Eagles scored first in the weekend-opening game versus Montreat. Emily Branson hit a two-run single to right field. Montreat answered back in the bottom half of the inning to even the score.

In the top of the fourth, Abi Beaman singled through the right side, setting the table for Ka'Zem Wood who blasted a two-run homer that cleared the right field scoreboard. Through four, Avila held a 4-2 lead.

Montreat plated one in the fifth before Avila put up a four-run top of the sixth thanks to the heroics of Wood.

Adding to her fourth-inning homer, Wood smashed a grand slam to right field to put the game away for good after her teammates knocked two singles and walked to load the bases.

In the circle, Avila also had strong performances. Two shutout innings from Aarilynn Richardson finished the game after McKayla Cotton pitched five solid innings to start, allowing just three runs while striking out five. Cotton also went 2-4 at the plate to wrap up her solid showing.

Wood finished her day at the plate 3-3 with six RBI, two runs and a walk. Beaman and Branson were the other two Eagles with multi-hit games.

The second game wasn't as kind to the Eagles as they fell to No. 3 Cumberlands, 9-1.

Avila was unable to get its offense going in the second game, managing just three hits from Julia Douglass, Maya Richards and Abi Beaman.

The Eagles are back on the field for day two tomorrow, taking on Campbellsville at 12:15 and No. 7 Central Methodist at 2:30.