SOFTBALL PLAYS TOUGH BUT LOSES TWO IN NAIA SHOWCASE

SHAWNEE, Okla. – After picking up a win in day one of the NAIA Showcase on Saturday, Avila softball was back at it early on Sunday for game three of the weekend against Campbellsville.

The Eagles held a 6-1 lead through two after putting up three runs in each of the first two innings. An RBI single from Stephanie Hayes and a two-run knock from McKayla Cotton in the first got the momentum going for Avila heading into the second.

Julia Douglass smacked an RBI single to right field and Hayes came up again in a big moment, smashing a two-run homer and scoring Douglass to give Avila an early 6-1 lead.

Campbellsville answered back immediately, putting up four in the top of the third and seven in the fifth.

Kennedee Lara recorded an RBI single in the sixth and Myra Megli hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to creep back into the game, but that was all the offense the Eagles could muster, losing 13-8.

In game number two on the day, Avila faced a tall test, taking on No. 7 Central Methodist.

Avila had opportunities, but were unable to convert, losing 11-0 to the top-10 team.

"We played four games against four good teams this weekend after a long layoff," said Avila head coach Charlie Kennedy. "We competed very well but ran out of gas."

Playing four games in 24 hours after a two-week layoff was difficult for Avila, but the Eagles picked up a victory against strong competition and head back to Kansas City better.

"We had a good approach and good at-bats this weekend and put balls in play against some of the best pitchers in the country," Kennedy noted.