MUW Baseball headed to Paragould, Arkansas, to face Crowley's Ridge in a three-game series, two today and one tomorrow. Today, the Owls split with Crowley's falling in Game 1 (8-6) but coming back to dominate Game 2 (11-2). 

Game 1 (L 8-6)

Game 1 was a slow start for both teams, with MUW scoring in the top of the 1st inning and then remaining scoreless until the top of the 5th. Crowley's Ridge had a tougher time getting runs across until the bottom of the 4th, where they scored one, and then they had an explosive 5th inning, scoring 5 runs, and then 2 runs in the 7th to seal the victory. Logan Suggs started the contest for the Owls, pitching 4.2 innings, and allowed 5 runs on 3 hits with 4 strikeouts. Dalton Cohea came in to close for the Owls, putting in 2 innings of work and collecting the loss. Cohea allowed 3 runs on 4 hits with one walk and no strikeouts. 

Offensively, Blake Estabrook led the Owls by going 3 for 4 at the plate with a double and 2 RBIs. Trey Petite, the team's leading slugger, went 2 for 4 at the plate, and catcher Hunter Harper went 2 for 3 at the plate with 2 RBIs. The Owls were able to tie the contest but fell victim to Crowley's Ridge offense in the bottom of the 7th inning, where they scored their final 2 runs to win Game 1. 

Game 2 (W 11-2)

Game 2 saw a dominant Owls offense, scoring in 6 of 7 innings played, securing a strong victory to end the day. Leading at the plate, the third baseman, Trey Petite went 2 for 3 with 1 RBI, while Damain Benefield went 2 for 2 with 1 RBI. Heath Ford was back in action for the Owls after suffering an ankle injury, which did not seem to be an issue today. Ford went 1 for 3 at the plate, collecting a 2 RBI double. 

The Owls seemed strong on the mound in Game 2, starting with Brady Jones, the senior from Louisville, MS, and closing with Tyler Temple, the freshman from Mize, MS. Jones pitched 6 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. Temple, making his debut for the Owls, pitched 1 inning and allowed no runs on no hits with 2 strikeouts. 

Owls Baseball will be back in action tomorrow, closing the series with Crowley's Ridge at 1 PM. For more information or updates check out owlsathletics.com.