Statesmen Dominate Second Game for Split Against Baker
William Penn Women’s Athletics
Oskaloosa–Bri Zerley (So., Monroe, Iowa, Biology) hit her first home run in the navy and gold as William Penn split a non-conference twinbill versus Baker (Kan.) Monday.
The Statesmen (16-8) lost the opener 1-0 before winning 9-1 (6 innings) in the nightcap.
The hosts held a 3-2 edge in hits over the Wildcats (12-6), including two in the first frame. Unfortunately, William Penn could not produce a run in that inning and the game remained scoreless until the top of the sixth. Baker finally got on the board and the Statesmen failed to answer in the latter innings.
Jennifer Whitehead (Jr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Biology) struck out six batters (one walk), but was the tough-luck loser to fall to 7-4.
After a ‘pep talk’ from Head Coach Mike Christner between games, the navy and gold offense found its groove early in the nightcap. Highlighted by a two-run bomb by Zerley, William Penn took a 3-0 lead after the first inning.
William Penn, which outhit Baker 13-4, added one more in the fourth, two in the fifth, and finally three in the sixth to claim the mercy-run victory.
Zerley never slowed down, finishing 3-for-3 (also two doubles) with three RBIs and two runs scored. Her teammates followed that lead, most notably K.C. Routos (Sr., Newcastle, Wash., Physical Education) and Molly Miller (Sr., Kalona, Iowa, Business Management), who were both 3-for-4 at the plate.
Jessica Christensen (Fr., Marysville, Wash., Sociology) added just one hit, but managed two RBIs and two runs scored. Routos joined Zerley and Christensen by rounding the bases twice as well.
Carly Land (Sr., Mission Viejo, Calif., Education) posted seven strikeouts (two walks) to improve her record to 9-4.
“We needed to be more aggressive at the plate and we did that in the second game,” Christner said. “We cannot let the game come to us; we have to go get it.”
Next: William Penn finally opens Midwest Collegiate Conference action Wednesday by hosting Clarke in a doubleheader beginning at 5:30 p.m.
