Offensive Barrage Keys Statesmen Split at MVC

William Penn University Athletics

William Penn University Athletics

Marshall, Mo.–The William Penn baseball was hoping for two victories on Saturday, but instead had to settle for a win and a loss against Missouri Valley in Heart of America Athletic Conference action.

In a battle between two teams vying for one of the last spots in the Heart Tournament, William Penn (20-21, 10-16 Heart) dropped the opener 9-5, but won the nightcap 14-4. WPU remains two games back of the Vikings (23-25, 12-14 Heart) for likely one of the two wild card slots in the league tourney. The squads will again face off Sunday to conclude the four-game weekend set; first pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

The Statesmen came out firing on all cylinders with three runs in the first inning. Anthony York (Jr., Chula Vista, Calif., Physical Education) doubled home Daniel Macias (Jr., Chula Vista, Calif., Physical Education) and Colton Johnson (Jr., Westminster, Calif., Physical Education) before also coming in on a stolen base.

The visitors continued to hold their three-run edge until the third when MVC claimed the lead for good with four runs. They then tacked on four more in the fourth.

WPU closed to 8-5 with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth as another York double again plated Johnson. York touched the final base one more time on a sacrifice fly via Robert Phiakeo (Sr., San Diego, Calif., Business Management). Unfortunately, no more runs were recorded by William Penn, while Missouri Valley closed it out with one in the sixth.

The Statesmen actually owned a 9-7 edge in hits with York and Macias both finishing 3-for-4, while Dominik Sawyer (Jr., San Diego, Calif., Psychology and Human Services) contributed two base knocks as well.

Dylan McDonald (Jr., Chula Vista, Calif., Industrial Technology) finished with five strikeouts versus six walks in six tough innings.

The Vikings put the first run across in the nightcap as well and led 1-0 entering the third. That was when the Statesmen said enough was enough and went off for four runs. Cory Russell (Jr., El Cajon, Calif., Education) provided the big pop by hitting a bases-loaded double to bring in all three runners.

The situation only improved from there as WPU added another run in the fourth with Johnny Valdez (Jr., San Jacinto, Calif., Business Management) scoring on a sac fly by J.P. Rios (Sr., San Diego, Calif., Business Management).

The long ball highlighted a four-run fifth frame as Valdez cleared the fence with a three-run shot and Phiakeo also left the park with a solo bomb. For Valdez, he now leads the program with five homers this spring, while Phiakeo’s roundtripper is his first at WPU.

Two more runs came across in the sixth with Phiakeo driving in Johnson on a single and York scoring on Sawyer’s sacrifice bunt.

The Statesmen tied a nice big bow on the day with four final runs in the seventh. Johnson doubled home both Rios and pinchrunner Gus Canseco (Fr., Hampton, Iowa, Business Management), while York singled in Macias. Johnson tagged up and scored on Phiakeo’s flyout as well.

All nine William Penn starters produced at least one hit as the squad finished with an 18-8 edge; its 18 hits tie a season high. Macias and York again managed three hits, while Johnson, Phiakeo, Sawyer, and Javier Gonzalez (Jr., Lakeside, Calif., Physical Education) all added two hits. Phiakeo, Russell, and Valdez ended up with three RBIs apiece, while Johnson’s three runs were a team best.

With more than enough run support, Tyler Martinez (Sr., San Diego, Calif., Sociology) eased his way to the victory. The senior struck out one and walked four in the complete game.

Posted by on Apr 23 2016. Filed under College Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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