WPU Swept on Senior Day
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–Senior Day unfortunately did not go as planned Saturday as the Statesmen softball team was swept by Evangel in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.
William Penn (19-30, 6-14 Heart) fell by scores of 6-0 and 5-1. Its losses, coupled with win by Missouri Valley (7-11 Heart), means the Statesmen must win at least one against Central Methodist in Sunday’s road doubleheader (1 p.m. start in Fayette, Mo.) to keep alive any chance of reaching the Heart Tournament. The twinbill also marks the regular season finale for the program.
The visiting Crusaders (28-10, 14-4 Heart) flexed their muscles offensively and defensively in the opener, outhitting the navy and gold 12-2. EU scored twice in the second and four more times in the third. WPU was only able to put a runner in scoring position in one frame.
Pitcher Chyanne Koko (So., Waianae, Hawaii, Physical Education) struck out two batters in the setback.
The 2016 senior class of Chelsee Herron (Sr., Anaheim, Calif., Elementary Education), Paige Miguel (Sr., Hollister, Calif., Exercise Science), Marissa Pereyra (Sr., Fullerton, Calif., Exercise Science), and Siarra Velasquez (Sr., Carter Lake, Iowa, Biology) was recognized between games. The celebration unfortunately did not help build enough momentum to lead WPU to a nightcap victory.
Evangel appeared poised to run away with the second game as well, tallying two runs in the second. William Penn’s offense finally awoke from its slumber in the third, cutting the deficit to one run on a single by Tabitha Scott (Fr., Placentia, Calif., Psychology) that plated Kodee Johnson (Jr., Stockton, Calif., General Mathematics). Johnson led her team with a 2-for-3 outing as the hosts were outhit 13-4.
The score remained 2-1 entering the seventh, but the Crusaders put the contest out of reach with three insurance runs in the top half.
Elizabeth Whitaker (Jr., Azalea, Ore., Exercise Science) had three strikeouts against three walks in the loss.
