WBU Survives Extra Innings to go 2-0 on Final Day of Branson Grand Slam Classic

BRANSON, Mo. (3/8/25) – The Williams Baptist University softball team took wins over Hastings and Tabor on the final day of the Branson Grand Slam Classic on Saturday morning by the final scores of 11-3 and 5-4.

Kaylee Wolfe led the way for Williams at the plate in game one against Hastings by tying her career-high in RBI's with four.  Brooke Scott followed up on a 2-for-3 line with two RBI's and two runs scored.

WBU struck first with a run in the bottom of the first inning.  Hastings took a 2-1 lead on a two-run single in the second.

Williams stormed back in front with a six spot in the second inning to take a 7-2 advantage.  Paige Thomas highlighted the frame with a solo shot, her second home run of the season.

WBU ended the game with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take the walk-off run-rule victory.

McKenna Bittle shined in the circle for Williams, tossing all six innings to earn her second win of the season.

In game two, Madyson Busselle cracked a two-run homer to right in the top of the first to give WBU an early lead.  Tabor responded with a three-run shot in the bottom half of the frame to go up 3-2.

Bre Thresher tied the ballgame in the top of the fourth on a single to left that plated Natalia Watkins.  The Eagles threatened with runners on second and third with no outs, but failed to scratch across the go-ahead run to keep the score tied at 3-3.

Kaylee Wolfe broke through once again for the Lady Eagles with an RBI double to put Williams up 4-3 in the fifth inning.

Down to the final out in the bottom of the seventh, Tabor tied the ballgame on an RBI double to left field to send the game into extra innings.

In extras, Natalia Watkins plated Wolfe on a sacrifice fly to put WBU back on top 5-4.

With the tying run at third and winning run at first with no outs for the Blue Jays in the bottom half of the eighth inning, Emberlin Caldwell struck out three batters in a row to end any chance of a comeback and secure the 5-4 win for Williams.

Caldwell went all eight innings for WBU, earning her fifth win of the season.  The sophomore matched her season-high with eight strikeouts in the contest.

The wins improve WBU to 11-4 overall on the season.  Next, the Lady Eagles will face No. 8 Central Methodist at home on Wednesday, Mar. 12.  First pitch against the Eagles is set for noon at the WBU Softball Field.