Stream, Whitehead Sweep Final Weekly Honors

William Penn Women's Athletics

Oskaloosa–Jennifer Whitehead (So., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) and Ashley Stream (Sr., Chariton, Chariton HS) were tremendous last week in lifting the Lady Statesmen softball team to its first nationals appearance in five years. They were rewarded for their great play as the Midwest Collegiate Conference weekly honors were announced yesterday.

Whitehead was named Pitcher of the Week for the fifth time in 2012 (seventh all-time), while Stream earns her first career Player of the Week award. The pair helped William Penn (46-16) to a 5-1 record last week, including going 4-1 in the MCC’s Final Four Tournament to capture not only the conference crown, but more importantly, the automatic berth to next week’s NAIA National Championships.

Besides one hiccup against runner-up Iowa Wesleyan on Saturday, Whitehead was beyond stellar, owning a 4-1 record with a 0.96 Earned Run Average in 36 1/3 innings of work. The southpaw workhorse tossed all but 6 2/3 innings, posting 25 strikeouts against nine walks with opponents hitting .205 against her. Whitehead recorded three shutouts and a save.

For the year, Whitehead is 24-10 with a 1.34 ERA. She has 12 shutouts (one combined shutout) and two saves. In 220 innings of action, the sophomore has struck out 187 batters with 58 walks and is limiting the opposition to a .206 batting clip.

Stream made sure her collegiate career did not conclude without a trip to the national tourney as she hit a team-best .500 (9-of-18) with two home runs, two doubles, eight RBIs, and four runs scored. She also walked three times. The senior was exceptionally terrific in Sunday’s must-win games, going .667 at the plate with one home run, five RBIs, and three runs scored. She had her best showing in the team’s first game versus Iowa Wesleyan on Sunday, producing three hits with five RBIs and two runs scored.

For the year, Stream has a .347 average (69-of-199) with five home runs, 12 doubles, five triples, 51 RBIs, and 35 run scored.

The awards are the ninth and tenth for William Penn this spring.