Statesmen Use Deep Rotation in 3-0 Win over Grinnell
William Penn University Athletics
Grinnell–In an effort to give several hurlers time on the mound, nine different pitchers were utilized in Penn’s 3-0 win against Grinnell in non-conference baseball action Wednesday.
Nine Statesmen (13-4) tossed exactly one inning apiece in the win and a pair of run-scoring hits by Kyle Humphrey (Sr., Boise, Idaho, Skagit Valley CC) highlighted the team’s offense in its fifth-consecutive win.
2010 Midwest Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Year Eric Krause (Sr., San Diego, Calif., Southwestern CC) finally made his season debut and struck out two in the start. Although Penn took the lead for good with the senior in the game, he could not receive the win due to minimum inning requirements.
The team’s first reliever, Jonathan Davis (Jr., San Diego, Calif., Southwestern CC), collected the victory to improve to 2-1.
Brad McGuire (So., Covina, Calif., Citrus CC) matched Krause with two strikeouts, while Dennis Neal (Jr., San Leandro, Calif., Laney CC), David Ness (Jr., Purcellville, Va., Frederick CC), and Devin Lange (Jr., Tucson, Ariz., Paradise Valley CC) struck out one batter each.
Chris Freedman (Sr., Walnut, Calif., Citrus CC) earned his first career save in a hitless ninth frame (one batter reached on an error).
As aforementioned, Penn got on the board in the first inning when Humphrey brought home Miguel Castillon (Sr., Simi Valley, Calif., LA Mission CC) on a groundout.
Humphrey recorded another RBI in the third, singling home Chris Witrado (Sr., Fresno, Calif., West Hills CC), who also tallied a one-bagger to start the scoring sequence.
The final run came across in the seventh on a single via Cory Randall (Sr., What Cheer, Tri-County HS) to score Castillon again. Six different players had one hit apiece as Penn edged Grinnell (1-3) in base knocks by a 6-5 margin.
Witrado, with one hit, one error, and one fielder’s choice, and Jerry Hernandez (Sr., Moreno Valley, Calif., Chaffey CC), with two walks and one hit, topped the Statesmen as both reached base three times.
Next: Penn stays in Oskaloosa this weekend for its home openers, hosting Clarke Saturday in MCC action at 1 and 3 p.m. and again Sunday at noon.
