William Penn Needs Extras to Close Out First Round
William Penn Women's Athletics
Oskaloosa–The sixth-seeded St. Ambrose softball team played its heart out in an attempt to stay alive in 2012, but the Lady Statesmen found their way into the winner’s circle one more time to close out the Midwest Collegiate Conference First Round Pod Tournament Tuesday.
Top seed William Penn (42-15) won 1-0 in ten innings to advance to this weekend’s Final Four. Had St. Ambrose won the game, it still needed another victory to move to this weekend’s event. The Queen Bees end their year at 29-27.
The Lady Statesmen open the double-elimination Final Four against #4 seed Iowa Wesleyan Saturday at noon. The other contest features #2 Grand View vs. #3 Mount Mercy at 10 a.m.
Both teams had a plethora of scoring opportunities Tuesday, but squandered all but the last one to combine for 22 runners left on base (12 for WPU). The home team left the bases loaded in the third and also left two runners stranded in the fifth. Seven Lady Statesmen moved into scoring position before the game-ending tenth frame.
Molly Miller (Jr., Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) led off the tenth with a single and was moved to second when Brianne Rowley (Sr., Hood River, Ore., Blue Mountain CC) reached on an error by the left fielder.
Khyia Lewis (Sr., Ottumwa, Ottumwa HS) flew out to center field for the first out, but the hit was deep enough to move Miller to third as the junior tagged up on the play. Ashley Stream (Sr., Chariton, Chariton HS) was intentionally walked to load the bases, setting up a force-out at any base for St. Ambrose.
Fortunately, William Penn did not give the visitors a chance to take advantage of their strategy as KC Routos (Jr., Newcastle, Wash., Pierce CC) hit a shot into right-center field. It was caught by the center fielder, but was just deep enough to bring in Miller as she tagged up from third.
The navy and gold owned a 7-5 edge in hits, including three by Miller and two by Rowley.
Jennifer Whitehead (So., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) managed to battle through every difficult position she faced in moving to 21-9. The sophomore struck out nine against three walks (three hit-by-pitches as well). Whitehead now has ten shutouts this spring.
