Statesmen Split Pair of Non-Conference Games
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–The William Penn baseball team returned to action Saturday and had to battle more than just its opponent from the other dugout as bitterly cold conditions made it tough for all participants.
The Statesmen (8-8) opened the day with a 1-0 loss to Milwaukee School of Engineering (Wis.) before rebounding to defeat Martin Luther (Minn.) 4-0 in the nightcap.
Both MSOE and WPU had four hits, but the visitor was the only one to bring a run across. The Raiders (5-2) scored in the sixth, while the Statesmen had their best chance when Stan Simmons (Jr., Brooklyn, N.Y., Physical Education) reached third base in the first inning.
Simmons had one hit, as did Kyle Mauricio (Jr., Arden Hills, Minn., Physical Education), Jayme Mueller (Sr., Mundelein, Ill., Sociology), and Enrique Alvarado (Jr., Lancaster, Calif., Sociology).
Kyle Maldonado (Jr., Centerville, Iowa, Physical Education) allowed only one hit, but was saddled with the loss in falling to 2-1 on the year. He struck out six with three walks in five frames of work.
Jacob Logan (So., Galesburg, Ill., Psychology) gave up the hit to allow the only run, but then settled in to tally four strikeouts in relief.
The home offense was a bit stronger, but definitely more opportunistic in the nightcap, scoring four runs on six hits (Martin Luther had two hits).
The Statesmen jumped out on top in the bottom of the first when Simmons scored on a sacrifice fly by Roy Perez (Jr., Avondale, Ariz., Physical Education).
They added three insurance runs in the fifth, beginning with Simmons coming home on another sacrifice fly–this time by Mueller. Perez then singled home Mauricio, and Chris Redfern (Sr., Stratford, Ontario, Digital Communication) concluded the scoring with a single that plated pinchrunner Austin Westercamp (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Undecided). Redfern finished with a team-best two hits.
Jared Shoning (Fr., Des Moines, Iowa, Business Management) was strong in picking up his first decision in the navy and gold (1-0). The freshman only gave up two hits in five scoreless innings, striking out seven with one walk. Nate Iliff (Jr., North Oaks, Minn., Physical Education) relieved him to start the sixth and went two scoreless frames.
Next: William Penn will again face both programs tomorrow. The Statesmen first meet Martin Luther at 11:30 a.m. and then take on MSOE at 2:30 p.m.
