Statesmen Complete Busy Week in Arizona
William Penn University Athletics
Tucson, Ariz.–Some items on the checklist were improved upon, but others are still a work in progress after the William Penn softball team competed in its annual Spring Break trip this week.
The Statesmen (8-11) opened the week last Sunday with losses to Michigan-Dearborn 6-2 and Presentation (S.D.) 5-1. They responded with two wins on Monday, though, over Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) 3-2 and Dordt 11-4.
Things then went sour again Tuesday with setbacks to St. Francis (Ill.) 11-3 (5 innings) and Madonna (Mich.) 4-3. After a day off, the up-and-down week had another uptick Thursday as WPU defeated Siena Heights (Mich.) 4-3 and Aquinas (Mich.) 2-1.
On the final day (Friday), the Statesmen knocked off Purdue-North Central (Ind.) 9-4, but also fell 7-5 to Concordia (Neb.).
Michigan-Dearborn 6, WPU 2
William Penn led 2-1 entering the sixth, but errors doomed the team in a decisive five-run inning. The Statesmen actually held a 7-4 advantage in hits with Kodee Johnson (Jr., Stockton, Calif., General Mathematics) and Marissa Pereyra (Sr., Fullerton, Calif., Exercise Science) both finishing 2-for-4.
Elizabeth Whitaker (Jr., Azalea, Ore., Exercise Science) took the loss, but only allowed one earned run on four hits. The junior struck out five; unfortunately she also walked seven.
Presentation 5, WPU 1
A three-run second frame did in the Statesmen as six fielding mistakes were again too much to overcome. Chyanne Koko (So., Waianae, Hawaii, Business Management) managed three strikeouts in an outing that only included two earned runs.
WPU 3, Cardinal Stritch 2
The squad held onto an early lead against the Wolves and overcame four errors with a 6-4 edge in base knocks. Taylor Vernon (So., Tracy, Calif., Ripon HS) and Chelsee Herron (Sr., Anaheim, Calif., Elementary Education) both went 2-for-3. Koko did not permit an earned run in the victory and recorded a trio of strikeouts.
WPU 11, Dordt 4
The best offensive output of the week was highlighted by a nine spot in the second inning. Koko, Vernon, and Breann Robertson (Fr., Rainier, Wash., Human Services and Sociology) each had two hits, while Johnson, Koko, and Robertson all scored twice. Four different players tallied a pair of RBIs apiece.
Whitaker ended the game with three Ks against four BBs; only half of the four runs she gave up were earned.
St. Francis (Ill.) 11, WPU 3
The tables were turned on the navy and gold in their next time out as they were outhit 15-6. Pereyra scored two times in the setback.
Madonna 4, WPU 3
The Statesmen appeared to bounce back, leading 3-0 entering the sixth inning. Unfortunately, Madonna tied the game in the sixth and came up with the walk-off in the seventh. WPU was outhit 9-7 with Kayla Browning (Jr. Spring Valley, Calif., Biology) leading the way with two hits.
Whitaker had an equal number of strikeouts as walks (3) in the outing. It marked the first game since the opening day of the year–and the second time all season–that WPU did not commit an error.
WPU 4, Siena Heights 3
William Penn recorded its first walk-off victory with help from another stout defensive effort. Despite losing the hits battle 8-6, the Statesmen were perfect on defense for the second contest in a row. Pereyra posted the big outing, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Johnson rounded the pads twice.
WPU 2, Aquinas 1
The Statesmen trailed 1-0 after five innings in the defensive battle, but picked up one score in each of the last two frames to claim the win. Johnson tallied both of her team’s hits as WPU was on the bottom side of a 5-2 margin.
WPU 9, Purdue-North Central 4
Herron produced a pair of base knocks with three RBIs, while Chelsea Griffiths (Jr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Psychology and Human Services) came off the bench and had two hits with a pair of runs scored. Johnson also tallied two hits and crossed home plate twice, while Freestone joined the two-hit club as well. The navy and gold finished with an 11-8 edge in hits.
Tabitha Scott (Fr., Placentia, Calif., Psychology) replaced Koko in the pitching circle in the first inning and performed well to take the win. The freshman (1-0) permitted just one earned run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Concordia (Neb.) 7, WPU 5
William Penn, which managed 12 hits, fell behind by four runs early and could not make up the difference; CUNE finished with 14 hits.
Pereyra had a home run (her first of 2016) as part of her 3-for-3 outing that also included three RBIs and two runs scored. Scott clipped off three hits, while Johnson had two hits and two runs scored. Browning reached base twice via a base knock as well.
Whitaker, who is now 5-6 on the year, took the loss (three strikeouts in four innings), while Koko (2-3 on the year) allowed only two hits in two frames of relief.
For the week, the Statesmen hit a respectable .270, but still had some issues in the field with a .925 fielding clip.
Next Up: William Penn travels to Clinton Wednesday to face Ashford in a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m.
