SOFTBALL DOMINATES ALL OVER, WINS TWO OVER SOUTHWESTERN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Avila softball extended its winning streak to nine on Tuesday at The Z, run-ruling Southwestern twice, 9-1 and 8-0.

The Eagles used strong pitching in both games to pick up a pair of wins.

It's tough to say who had the more impressive start between the two Eagles in the circle.

In game one, McKayla Cotton threw a six-inning complete game and struck out half the batters she faced – 11.

The second game saw Mackenzie Daniels throw a five-inning one-hitter to keep the Moundbuilders at bay.

In addition to Cotton's electric start in the opener, Avila's bats played an integral role.

Back-to-back home runs in the first – a two-run blast from Stephanie Hayes and a solo shot on the next pitch from Myra Megli gave Avila an early 3-0 lead that they would not give up.

Avila got two more across in the third inning on a passed ball.

The fourth inning put Hayes up in another big spot and the junior would capitalize with an RBI double down the left field line.

The runs would keep coming.

In the fifth, Abi Beaman and Sophia Medina would add RBI singles of their own. 8-1 Avila after five.

The Eagles walked it off in the sixth by who else – McKayla Cotton – slapping an RBI single to center to complete the six-inning, 9-1 victory.

Cotton threw six innings in the circle, allowing just four hits and one unearned run while striking out 11. At the plate, she would go 3-4 with an RBI to cap of an exceptional game one.

The second game was much of the same for Avila dominating on offense and defense.

Mackenzie Daniels pitched a beautiful 5.0 inning, one-run game with three strikeouts and just two baserunners allowed.

Avila's bats would once again complement the dominating pitching performance, scoring runs in bunches across five innings.

Jaka Sharp would double in the second to score Julia Douglass. The next matter, Jordan Pollo would score Sharp on an RBI knock to right.

Two innings, 2-0 Avila.

A four-run fourth would continue to keep the Eagles in control.

A bases-loaded walk from Beaman set up a bases-clearing, three-RBI triple from Hayes to move it to 6-0.

The Eagles would close the game out in the fifth with an RBI single from Samantha Gatica and would walk it off with a bases-loaded walk from Hayes to cap the 8-0 victory and doubleheader sweep.

In addition to the dominance in the circle, Avila had a pair of noteworthy offensive performances on the day.

Stephanie Hayes finished the two-games by going 5-7 with two runs and seven RBI, while Jaka Sharp went 4-5 with four runs scored and an RBI. 

Avila will look to extend its winning streak to double-figures on Saturday with two games at Sterling. First pitch is scheduled for 12 PM.

 (photo credit: Dejohn Bailey)