Softball Season Over at CMU
William Penn University Athletics
Fayette, Mo.–The William Penn softball team had to win at least one game Sunday to have any chance at postseason play, but unfortunately #21 Central Methodist was too strong in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader.
The Statesmen (19-32, 6-16 Heart), who lost by scores of 11-5 and 12-0 (5 innings), ended their 2016 campaign Sunday and will not earn a bid to the Heart Tournament.
WPU trailed 1-0 early to the Eagles (33-13, 15-3 Heart), but answered back with two runs in the second on a two-run double by Brooklyn Bantz (So., Smithville, Mo., Psychology and Human Services) that plated Kayla Browning (Jr., Spring Valley, Calif., Biology) and Siarra Velasquez (Sr., Carter Lake, Iowa, Biology).
The visitors added another run in the third with Marissa Pereyra (Sr., Fullerton, Calif., Exercise Science) coming around.
CMU tallied two runs in the bottom of the third, but the navy and gold managed their fourth run in the fourth to lead 4-3 as Velasquez scored again.
Unfortunately, the home squad put two on the board in the bottom side and five more in the fifth. Velasquez scored for the third and final time in the game in the sixth; it also proved to be the final time William Penn would score in 2016.
The Statesmen were outhit 14-6 in a contest that witnessed both programs committing four errors. Tabitha Scott (Fr., Placentia, Calif., Psychology) and Chelsee Herron (Sr., Anaheim, Calif., Elementary Education) both finished 2-for-4 in the opener. Bantz finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs.
WPU closed out its season with a difficult ending. The team was unable to post a hit versus Central Methodist in the nightcap as Scott walked twice and Herron drew a base on balls as well.
The losses end the collegiate careers of seniors Herron, Paige Miguel (Sr., Hollister, Calif., Exercise Science), Pereyra, and Velasquez.
