Statesmen Drop Opener, Second Game Suspended Due to Weather

Springfield, Mo.–The William Penn softball team came up short on its longest league road trip of the season, falling 9-2 to Evangel in Heart of America Athletic Conference action Friday.

WPU (13-16, 7-10 Heart) was then in the third inning of the nightcap against EU (23-9, 12-8 Heart) before weather forced a suspension of the contest.

The navy and gold were outhit 13-4 with four separate players tallying one base knock each.

Behind 7-0 entering the top of the fifth frame, the visitors finally got on the board with both of their tallies. Shiloh Cunningham (Fr., Lynnville, Iowa, Biology) recorded a one-out single and was moved to third two batters later on an Evangel error that allowed Emily Nichols (Fr., Hurdland, Mo., Biology) to get on the pads.

Nichols stole second base and then the navy and gold plated both of their runs when Lexi Resa (Jr., Liberty, Mo., Biology) put the ball into play at the third baseman. The EU player misfired on her throw to first base and Cunningham and Nichols both came around because of the mistake. Evangel committed two errors, while the Statesmen had three fielding miscues.

Unfortunately, that was the only offense the Statesmen could muster. The visiting crew had baserunners in the fourth and seventh frames as well, but failed to score in those opportunities.

WPU employed two pitchers in the outing with relief hurler Ashton Brown (Fr., Ottumwa, Iowa) managing the best performance. She struck out three batters (one walk) in two innings of work.

Next Up: William Penn travels to Peru, Neb. next Tuesday to face Peru State in a Heart doubleheader at 2 p.m.