William Penn Swept by Rivals
Des Moines–The William Penn softball team could not keep up with rival Grand View as it was swept in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader Tuesday.
WPU (13-15, 7-9 Heart) fell by scores of 5-0 and 6-2.
The Statesmen offense was stymied by Game 1 pitcher Hannah Pals. The squad failed to get a runner on base until the sixth inning, but Shiloh Cunningham (Fr., Lynnville, Iowa, Biology) broke up the perfect game with a lead-off bunt single.
She was unfortunately stranded and the navy and gold went down quietly in the seventh as well.
Peyton Parker (Jr., LaPorte City, Iowa, Sports Management) was not as strong as Pals, but was no slouch either. She held the Vikings down for most of the opener, but could not escape the second frame where GVU (20-8, 14-2 Heart) tallied four runs (all unearned). The home team added one more score in the fifth inning.
Parker struck out four and walked one, permitting seven hits in a complete-game effort.
The Statesmen lineup was more productive in the nightcap, falling just shy in the hits column, 8-7.
The visitors were unfortunately already behind 4-0 after three frames when they finally got on the board.
Lexi Riccardi (Sr., Redwood City, Calif., Biology) led off with a double and was then moved to third on a single from Rachael Haessly (Jr., Alpine, Calif., Biology). Two batters later, the senior touched home plate on a sacrifice fly by Charley Geguzis (Fr., Williamsburg, Iowa).
The Vikings responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, however, to extend their edge to 6-1.
Haessly, who finished a team-best 2-for-3, then stepped up once more in the sixth, powering a solo shot over the left-field fence for her first home run of 2021. It was the final blow WPU could muster in the sweep.
Five Statesmen managed a hit with Lexi Resa (Jr., Liberty, Mo., Biology) also finishing with a pair of base knocks (2-for-4).
Of the two pitchers WPU utilized in the second outing, Ashton Brown (Fr., Ottumwa, Iowa) was the more efficient option. The freshman did not allow a run in two innings out of the bullpen, while striking out one, walking one, and permitting one hit.
Next Up: William Penn travels to Springfield, Mo. Friday to face Evangel in Heart action at 2 p.m.
