Statesmen Fall to Ashford in Ten
William Penn University Athletics
Clinton–A few squandered opportunities late in the game doomed the Penn baseball team in an 8-6, ten-inning loss to Ashford in Midwest Collegiate Conference action Thursday.
Penn (16-10, 3-6 MCC) took the early lead with a pair of runs in the second when Tony Mancuso (Jr., Covina, Calif., Citrus CC) singled to plate Cory Randall (Sr., What Cheer, Tri-County HS) and Evelio Ahumada (Jr., Hacienda Heights, Calif., Citrus CC).
The Saints (13-13, 6-0 MCC) took a bit to break through against starting pitcher David Ness (Jr., Purcellville, Va., Frederick CC), but when they finally did, it came in a flurry with four runs in the fifth to lead 4-2.
Penn immediately regained the advantage in the top half of the sixth. Jerry Hernandez (Sr., Moreno Valley, Calif., Chaffey CC) collected the first two RBIs, doubling home Mancuso and Richard Romero (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., West Hills CC).
Kyle Humphrey (Sr., Boise, Idaho, Skagit Valley CC) then added a single in the next at-bat to score Hernandez and Miguel Castillon (Sr., Simi Valley, Calif., LA Mission CC).
The Statesmen lead would also not last long, however, with Ashford responding with two in the bottom of the sixth to knot the contest at 6-6.
Ness was pulled from the contest in that frame and did not figure into the decision. The junior allowed six runs (three earned) on 11 hits in 5 1/3 frames. He mowed down nine batters on strikeouts without offering a walk.
Both squads had baserunners in the eighth and ninth frames, but could not bring them in, resulting in extra innings.
Penn then had a golden opportunity slip through its fingers in the tenth as Hernandez came to the plate with the bases loaded and just one out recorded. Unfortunately, he grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
With momentum now on its side, Ashford put its leadoff batter on base and then two hitters down the order, Adam Wojciechowski pounded a Brad McGuire (So., Covina, Calif., Citrus CC) offering over the left-field fence to win the game.
The teams combined for 26 hits (15-11 AU), including a 4-for-5 showing by Humphrey. Mancuso and Randall both added two hits as well. Mancuso, Hernandez, and Humphrey all drove in two runs.
Jonathan Davis (Jr., San Diego, Calif., Southwestern CC) recorded two outs to conclude the sixth, while McGuire, who drops to 0-1 on the year, pitched the final 3 1/3 innings of relief. The sophomore allowed two runs on four hits and struck out two batters in the loss.
Next: Penn returns to Oskaloosa this weekend to host Viterbo in MCC action. On Saturday, the squads meet for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m., while Sunday’s single, nine-inning game also starts at 1 p.m.
