Strong Pitching Leads WPU to Split Against Pioneers
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen softball team was one timely hit from netting a sweep, but instead had to settle for a split against MidAmerica Nazarene in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader.
William Penn (15-18, 9-12 Heart) lost the opener 1-0, but bounced back with a 5-2 victory in the nightcap.
The hosts had several scoring chances in the first bout, putting runners in scoring position in five different frames, but failed to bring anyone all the way around.
Peyton Parker (Jr., LaPorte City, Iowa, Sports Management) stymied the Pioneers (15-13, 13-9 Heart) through six innings as well. Unfortunately, the visitors finally broke through in the seventh with the game’s lone run. The home squad had the tying run at second base in the bottom half, only to end the outing with a double play.
Five Statesmen produced a hit as WPU owned a 5-4 edge in base knocks. Parker performed admirably in the circle, striking out one and walking one in a complete game.
After being shut out in the first game, the navy and gold scored right away in the nightcap. Lexi Resa (Jr., Liberty, Mo., Biology) singled to start the first inning, while Nayely Martinez (Fr., Carson, Calif.) also reached base via a hit-by-pitch. Both were then brought in as Valeria Quiroga (Fr., San Benito, Texas, Sociology) launched her 10th home run of the year over the right field fence for a 3-0 lead.
William Penn was close to adding more in the second, but left the bases loaded. The squad did not squander its next opportunity as back-to-back doubles in the third by Rachael Haessly (Jr., Alpine, Calif., Biology) and Charley Geguzis (Fr., Williamsburg, Iowa) made it 4-0. Geguzis scored later in the frame to extend the advantage to five.
A fourth-inning solo homer gave MNU its first run, and then the visiting team pulled even closer with another score in the fifth.
A pair of walks forced the exit of starting pitcher Ashton Brown (Fr., Ottumwa, Iowa) one out shy of her own complete game, but Parker came in, and after a single, the junior closed the door for the save.
Brown allowed two runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings, while striking out four and walking three.
WPU recorded a 9-5 advantage in hits with Quiroga finishing 2-for-3 and Resa ending up 2-for-4.
Next Up: William Penn remains in Oskaloosa Saturday to host Park in Heart action at 1 p.m.
