MONTGOMERY, Ala. -  Mississippi University for Women's baseball team battled back from a big deficit early, only to see the decision slip away versus Virginia Wesleyan University, 15-10, at Huntingdon College Field. The Owls fell to 0-4, while the Marlins jumped to 2-0 on the year.
 
The W starter Kirby Ross, a junior right-hander from Tupelo, cruised into the third inning having permitted VWU just an unearned run in the second. But the wheels came off of the wagon for Ross in that third frame, as he was tagged with seven runs of the eight tallied by the Marlins. Ross allowed three hits, walked three, had a wild pitch and was the victim of a fielding error.
 
When the dust had settled, VWU had a 9-0 lead. 
 
The Owls did manage to get two runs back in the bottom of the third. Joel Estabrook and Blake Estabrook had back-to-back RBI singles with two out, cutting the deficit to 9-2. But the Marlins added two more in the top of the fourth to again lead by nine.
 
It was at that juncture, however, that MUW began to counterpunch at VWU.
 
Over the next 2 ½ innings, The W would outscore the Marlins, 7-0. Avery Benson led off the home half of the fifth with a double, went to third on a wild pitch and crossed the plate on Tanner Evans' single through the left side of the infield. In the bottom of the fifth, Blake Estabrook lifted a sacrifice fly that made it 11-4.
 
In its at-bat in the sixth, MUW put a five-spot on the board – all with two out -  that drew it to within 11-9. The big blows were back-to-back run-scoring hits from Thomas Tucker and Blaize Gann, followed by a two-run double off the bat of Blake Estabrook.
 
In the eighth, both teams plated a run to make it 12-10 heading into the final inning. But the Owls pitching would surrender three in the top of the ninth for the final 15-10 margin.
 
After Ross (0-2) and freshman Brandon Fenimore (5 hits, 3 ER) got roughed up early, The W duo of Zay Coleman and Tyler Temple restored order. Coleman allowed just a hit over 2.1 scoreless innings, striking out two. Temple gave up one run in 2.0 innings. Joel Estabrook was charged with three unearned runs in the ninth, allowing two VWU hits.
 
Blake Estabrook had the big bat for the Owls' offense. The Terry, Miss., native finished the afternoon going 3-for-4 at the plate, with a double and five runs batted in. He also had the sacrifice fly.
 
Gann was 2-for-5, had an RBI and scored three times. Benson went 2-for-4 with a "ribbie", as did Evans. Joel Estabrook (1-2, 2 runs), Tucker (1-6) and Payton Springfield (0-1) each had an RBI, as well.
 
Continuing action in the Huntingdon College Classic, The W will next face Mount St. Joseph on Saturday (Feb. 19), with a 12 p.m. first pitch.