LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - The William Woods baseball team is facing an uphill battle after Monday's action.
The Owls lost their opening game of the NAIA National Tournament, dropping an 11-5 decision to Southeastern, Fla., in the Lawrenceville Bracket.
Southeastern got four runs in the top of the third and after the Owls got one back in the bottom of that frame, the Fire exploded for seven runs in the fourth to effectively end it. William Woods scored four in the sixth to provide the final margin.
Dustin Kremer (Blair Oaks High School) went 3-for-5 with one run scored for William Woods, while Damon Adrian (Eugene High School) was 2-for-2 with one run scored.
After the first two William Woods pitchers got in trouble, giving up a combined 11 earned runs in 31/3 innnings, Ryan Schuermann (Southern Boone High School) came in to settle things down. He didn't allow a run during the next five innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out two.
William Woods (39-11) will play at 10 a.m. today in an elimination game against Westmont, Calif. (38-18).