Avila Defeats Waldorf, Wins Third Straight Series

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Against Waldorf (2-5) at The Z this weekend, Avila baseball (9-8) swept the doubleheader on Saturday and dropped the series finale on Sunday, good enough to lead the Eagles to their third straight series victory to close out non-conference competition in 2023.

The Eagles extended their win streak to eight games with their doubleheader sweep on Saturday, one of the longest active streaks in the NAIA at the time. After dropping their first two series of the season against SAGU and Grand View, Avila has now won three straight series (Dakota State, Presentation and Waldorf), putting together an overall record of 8-2 over that span, to head into KCAC competition this week on a high note.

Avila welcomed Waldorf to Kansas City for the second straight season this weekend and began the series with a pair of 7-inning games on Saturday. Jarret Dotson got the nod for the Eagles and was rock solid as usual, tossing the full seven innings allowing only six hits and two runs, adding to his team-leading strikeout total with eight punchouts on the year. After losing his first three decisions, Avila's ace has now won his last two.

The Eagle offense helped him out in a big way early, erupting for five runs in the bottom of the first inning against Warrior starter Ryan Meyer. Landon Vahle kickstarted a brilliant weekend with a leadoff single and Jacob Nevels followed with one of his own. A passed ball brought Vahle home, and back to back singles from Bryce Culp and Travis Curry helped cap off a five-run first for the home team.

Waldorf finally got two off Dotson thanks to a two-run single from Anthony Hibl in the fourth, but the Warriors got little else going against Dotson the rest of the day. Vahle added an insurance run by cranking his second home run of the season over the left field wall, putting a bow on a 6-2 for the Eagles to open the series. Vahle and Culp combined for four hits, three runs and two RBI in the game.

After a series opener that lasted just over 90 minutes, the two teams took the field again for game two. Once again, the Avila offense was on fire early. Vahle once again got the offense going with a home run in Avila's first at-bat, his third homer of the young season (he hit just one all of last year). Avila was facing a very unique starter in Jamie Olson, a rare switch pitcher: after throwing righty in the first inning Olson switched to the left in the second, and Avila made him pay quickly.

Olson didn't help himself in that inning, hitting three batters and committing a balk, and two Warrior errors helped put the Eagles in great shape. Isaiah Alvarez and Nevels had run-scoring singles in the inning, but it was Vahle who once again provided the killer blow, a bases-clear, three-run triple, highlighting a seven-run frame to put the Eagles up 8-0 after two.

That was all for Olson, but Avila's big early lead was more than enough for Briley Burrow, Chance Moore and Colton King to hold on to. Burrow tossed five strong innings, allowing only three hits and two runs (one earned) to earn his second win. Avila manufactured two more runs in the fifth, helping the Eagles wrap up a 10-3 win and a doubleheader sweep. Vahle and Alvarez combined for four hits, three runs and six RBI.

After another strong early start, Avila looked to be sitting pretty in Sunday's 9-inning finale before the Warriors steadily mounted a comeback to spoil Avila's chances at a second straight sweep. Vahle once again provided the spark for the Eagle offense, leading off the game with a ground-rule double, stealing third, and scoring on a groundout by Nevels. Avila then loaded the bases with two outs against Zach Meyer in the second and Vahle drew a walk to force home Garrett Kalm and make it 2-0 before Travis Curry launched his first career home run in the fourth inning to make it 3-0.

Holton Miller made his first start of the season for the Eagles and pitched well, allowing just one hit over four shutout innings with five strikeouts. He left with a 3-0 lead, but the Warriors steadily pushed across runs in the late innings to rally for a somewhat surprising win. Waldorf scored one in the sixth, one in the seventh, and then two in both the eighth and ninth to rally up 6-3, and the Eagles could not solved reliever Marc Luna, who threw four scoreless innings out of the pen.

Even still, Avila had a chance in the ninth inning to extend the game. Austin Reams returned to the lineup with a vengeance, leading off the ninth with his second double of the day, and Nevels and Kurt Trotter both walked to load the bases with two outs – but Luna was able to record the final out to preserve a 6-3 comeback win. Vahle hit for the cycle, batted .500 and slugged 1.400 on the weekend, continuing his strong run of form.

Up next, Avila officially enters conference play when the Eagles welcome KCAC title contenders Ottawa to The Z for the first game of their season-long midweek series this Tuesday, February 28. First pitch is slated for 2 PM; as always, you can watch all the action live and for free on the Avila Sports Network.