Caldwell, Garner Shut Down Ozarks in Opening Day Sweep

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (2/8/25) – Complete game shutouts from Emberlin Caldwell and Morgan Garner led the way as the Williams Baptist University softball team swept Ozarks 8-0 and 4-0 on opening day from the WBU Softball Field on Saturday afternoon.

Natalia Watkins led the way at the plate in the doubleheader with a 4-for-7 line with five RBI's across both games.

Emberlin Caldwell got the ball in game one.  The reigning AMC Freshman of the Year went six innings with seven strikeouts while only allowing two Ozarks hits in the mercy rule 8-0 victory.

The Lady Eagles got on the board first in the bottom of the third on an RBI double from Natalia Watkins.  The Lady Eagles extended the lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth on a bases-clearing single from Madyson Busselle.

Brooke Scott singled to plate one in the bottom of the sixth before Natalia Watkins ended the game with a three-run triple to take the 8-0 mercy rule win in six innings.

Morgan Garner went the distance in game two, shutting down Ozarks over seven innings with eight punchouts.  

Mack Lucio shut down WBU in the circle for Ozarks through the first five innings until three straight doubles from Kaylee Wolfe, Brooke Scott, and Natalia Watkins broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth and put Williams up 2-0.

Kaelyn Gooch added another run with a single, and Madyson Shoebottom scored on an error to make it 4-0.  Garner shut down Ozarks in the top of the seventh to end the game and finish off the doubleheader sweep.

The Lady Eagles move to 2-0 to start the season.  WBU returns to the diamond on Friday, Feb. 14 for the first two of a four game set with Blue Mountain Christian.  First pitch of game one against the Toppers is set for 1 p.m., with game two to follow.