WPU Succumbs to League-Leading Central Methodist

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen softball team came up short twice against #3 Central Methodist in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday.

William Penn (17-25, 6-12 Heart) fell by scores of 6-0 and 10-1.

The hosts, who were outhit 11-5 in the opener, gave up just one run through the first six innings as Emily Bryant (Sr., University Place, Wash., Nursing) worked through several jams.

The Eagles tallied the first run of the contest in the fourth, but unfortunately the proverbial dam broke in the seventh as they pulled away with five more runs.

Although the navy and gold were shut out in the first contest, they did have numerous scoring opportunities, including placing runners in scoring position in the second, fourth, and sixth innings.

Zoey Jones (Sr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Elementary Education) guided William Penn with a 3-for-3 showing, while Alexis Price (So., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Elementary Education) tallied a double with a walk.

CMU (35-3, 16-0 Heart) jumped out to a 2-0 advantage after the first inning of the nightcap, but the Statesmen kept the visitors off the board for the next three frames.

Unfortunately, the Eagles had a big fifth with five more runs. WPU finally snapped its scoreless streak in the sixth by producing three consecutive hits in a two-out rally, capped by a double from Tori Smith (Fr., Olympia, Wash., Secondary Education) that plated Abby Wilson (Sr., Calgary, Alberta, Nursing).

The Statesmen lost the hits battle 16-6 with Wilson topping the lineup with two base knocks.

Next Up: William Penn travels to Baldwin City, Kan. Sunday to face Baker in a Heart doubleheader at 1 p.m.