William Penn Athletics News–March 21‏

William Penn University Athletics

William Penn University Athletics

William Penn Wins Twice on First Day of Home Tourney

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen softball team dodged numerous bullets in defeating two non-conference foes on Day One of the First Annual William Penn Classic Friday.

William Penn (11-6) opened the day with a 7-3 win over Madonna (Mich.) and then knocked off Bellevue (Neb.) 7-1.

The ‘hosts’, playing at the Lacey Sports Complex, got off to a nice start with one run in each of the first two innings against the Crusaders. After sister Malloree Grove (Sr., Runnells, Iowa, Physical Education) reached on an error to lead off the contest, Brittanee Grove (Jr., Runnells, Iowa, Elementary Education) drove her in with a single.

Ashley Bezdicek (Jr., Walla Walla, Wash., Business Management) was then hit by a pitch to start the second frame and scored on a single by Sydney Edwards (Jr., Galesburg, Ill., Psychology & Biology).

The offense suddenly dried up, however, with just two individuals reaching base over the next four frames. In the meantime, Madonna picked up three runs in the sixth inning to claim the advantage at 3-2. Fortunately, with its back against the wall, William Penn erupted for five seventh-inning runs.

Steviee Grove (Sr., Runnells, Iowa, History/Government) started the rally with a one-out single, while Edwards brought in pinchrunner Brittany Weikel (Fr., Remsen, Iowa, Undecided) with a game-tying triple.

Malloree Grove singled in Edwards to put her team up for good. Jorden Steele (Jr., Tacoma, Wash., Physical Education) hit a double to plate Malloree Grove, while Brittanee Grove drove a two-run shot over the center-field fence for insurance runs.

WPU outhit MU 10-9 with Edwards going 2-for-3 (two RBIs) and Malloree (two runs) and Brittanee Grove (three RBIs) both finishing 2-for-4.

The offense was actually necessary for once for senior southpaw Jennifer Whitehead (Oskaloosa, Iowa, Biology). Despite improving to 8-0 on the year, things did not go well for her as she gave up two earned runs and walked four. Whitehead struck out eight on a day in which she allowed multiple runs for the first time this season.

The Crusaders (11-5) left 11 players on base, advancing runners into scoring position in five innings.

Friday’s second matchup was similar as Bellevue had several baserunners, but failed to bring them around with 11 left on base.

WPU struck first with a two-run third inning. Malloree Grove managed a lead-off double and then tagged up and scored on a sacrifice fly by Brittanee Grove. Jessica Christensen (So., Marysville, Wash., Sociology) also doubled and came around on a Bri Zerley (Jr., Monroe, Iowa, Biology) single.

The Statesmen tacked on another run in the fourth with a two-out rally. Ashlee Dennis (Jr., Loveland, Colo., Biology) walked and rounded the bases on Steele’s single.

Christensen made it 4-0 in the fifth with a lead-off home run–her first of 2014. The Bruins (10-7) got one back in the top of the sixth, but the navy and gold put the game on ice with an RBI double by Malloree Grove and another two-run roundtripper off the bat of Brittanee Grove. Brittanee now leads WPU with five homers.

The victors held a 10-6 edge in base knocks with Malloree Grove topping the list at 3-for-4 (two runs). Brittanee Grove was 2-for-3 (three RBIs) and Christensen ended the game 2-for-4 (two runs).

Lunden Young (Jr., Lewiston, Idaho, Physical Education) struggled finding the strike zone with six walks, but was otherwise solid in moving to 2-3. The junior produced five strikeouts in the win.

Next: William Penn, which cancelled its league doubleheader against Clarke on Saturday due to cold weather, is scheduled to play on Sunday in the Classic (weather permitting). The squad will face off against Morningside at 9 a.m. and #23 Davenport (Mich.) at 11 a.m.

Statesmen Take Bronze in Weather-Shortened Spring Opener

Moravia–Nasty weather cut in half the William Penn men’s golf team’s spring debut, but did not prevent the squad from posting its best round of the year Friday at the Iowa Intercollegiate Championships.

Saturday’s second round has been cancelled due to cold weather.

William Penn placed third out of nine teams with a season-low score of 301 at The Preserve Golf Course–a par-72 layout. Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) posted a 290 to win by six strokes over AIB.

CSU’s Justin Doeden and Mario Funcic tied for medalist honors at one-under 71.

Kyle Hashimoto (Fr., Acampo, Calif., Undecided) was two strokes behind the individual winners, shooting a 73 to tie for fourth out of 55 players.

Byron Lindeque (Jr., Boksburg, South Africa, Business Management) was also in the top ten, tying for tenth at 75. Brandon Dizon (Fr., San Leandro, Calif., Business Management) was also strong, carding a 76 to tie for 13th in his collegiate debut.

Tyler Lallier (Jr., Algona, Iowa, Business Management), in a tie for 19th at 77, and Charlie Hayes (Fr., Whitesboro, Texas, History/Government), in a tie for 28th at 79, rounded out the varsity scoring.

WPU also had a junior varsity team in action. The squad finished fourth at 310, led by Ben Roberts (So., Albia, Iowa, Business Management) with a 75. Hank Bennett (Fr., Whitesboro, Texas, Biology) was right behind him with a 76, while Jeremy Swink (Jr., Burlington, Iowa, Education) had a 78 (T-24). Zach McGriff (Fr., Grinnell, Iowa, Biology) was 38th with an 81 and Terence Schafer (So., Solwezi, Zambia, Mechanical Engineering) shot an 84 to tie for 42nd.

Austin Bringman (Fr., Sigourney, Iowa, Psychology), who tied for 51st at 89, and Ethan Powers (So., Tipton, Iowa, Business Management), who was 55th at 93, played as individuals.

Next: William Penn travels to Maryville, Mo. to compete in the Graceland Invitational next Friday and Saturday. Play will be contested at Mozingo Golf Course.

WPU Begins Spring with Runner-Up Finish

Moravia–The Statesmen women’s golf team started its spring slate by giving a top-ten program quite a scare at the Iowa Intercollegiate Championships Friday.

Saturday’s second round has been cancelled due to cold weather.

#23 William Penn placed second out of eight teams with a score of 320 at The Preserve Golf Course–a par-72 layout. #9 Bellevue (Neb.) won with a score of 311. It is WPU’s seventh silver in as many tournaments this season.

BU’s Karissa Moreland headlined the 40-person field at two-under 70.

Jing Yang (Fr., Woodland Hills, Calif., Biology) guided the navy and gold by finishing second with a 76.

“Consistency throughout our lineup is our strength,” Rule added. “Jing Yang is a perfect example of that. She, like all of our young players, is growing up right before our eyes. Our program is designed to make our young players grow up quickly and Jing’s round today was a very well-managed and mature performance.”

The rest of Yang’s varsity teammates were also in the top ten, including a fourth-place finish by Demi Coertze (So., Johannesburg, South Africa, Digital Communication) with an 80.

Maggie Yang (Jr., Chino, Calif., Business Management), in sixth at 81, Alexandria Eckenrod (Jr., Mason City, Iowa, Elementary Education), in a tie for seventh at 83, and Courtney Cunningham (Fr., Muskogee, Okla., Computer Science), in a tie for tenth at 84, also had solid showings for the Statesmen’s top squad.

“We had the #9 team in the nation on the ropes after nine holes, leading by six shots, but small mistakes on the back nine cost us,” Head Coach Nik Rule said. “Yet, a 320 on a windy day in tough conditions at a bear of a course is a good start to our spring season.”

William Penn had a junior varsity team in action as well. The second team placed fourth at 354.

Natalie Booton (So., Mount Pleasant, Elementary Education) and Ashley Manhnieo (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev., Business Management) tied each other for 12th at 85, while Carly Schmalz (Fr., Buffalo Lake, Minn., History/Government) shot a 91 to tie for 20th. Alexi Rule (Fr., Idaho Falls, Idaho, Education) shot a 93 (T-26) to wrap up the JV scoring, while Danielle Giannotti (Sr., Phoenix, Ariz., Psychology & Human Services) tied for 30th (95) as an individual.

“Our second team was also impressive,” Rule said. “Beating two varsity teams from our conference is nothing to overlook and is another example of our depth.”

Next: William Penn travels to Maryville, Mo. to compete in the Graceland Invitational next Friday and Saturday. Play will be contested at Mozingo Golf Course.

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