WPU Finishes 2018 with Upset Over #19 Central Methodist
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen softball team wrapped up a difficult 2018 campaign Sunday with a huge 5-4 Heart of America Athletic Conference win over #19 Central Methodist.
William Penn (14-38, 8-28 Heart), which did not qualify for this coming week’s Heart Postseason Tournament, was scheduled to play Peru State Monday to end the season, but that doubleheader has been cancelled and therefore the year completed Sunday.
In a game that was postponed from March 31 due to cold weather, the navy and gold jumped on top early with two first-inning runs. Sonia Reddy (So., Tracy, Calif., Exercise Science) led off with a single and later scored on a single by Chyanne Koko (Sr., Waianae, Hawaii, Physical Education), while Koko came around on a double from Hayley Freestone (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev., Business Management).
The advantage grew to 3-0 in the third as Freestone pounded another double and was then plated on a single off the bat of Lexi Herbert (Jr., King City, Mo., Secondary Education).
CMU (38-8, 28-6 Heart) got a run back in the top of the fourth, but the hosts nearly put it out of reach with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Dalaney Bice (So., Woodward, Iowa, Human Services & Psychology) and Koko started the frame with back-to-back doubles for the first run. Koko then scored in the next at-bat on an Eagle error.
The visitors cut the deficit to 5-2 in the sixth and then put a mighty scare into William Penn in the seventh inning with a two-run homer, but Katie Springer (Jr., Riverside, Iowa, Undecided) induced consecutive infield popouts to secure the win.
The Statesmen outhit the Eagles 11-8 with Reddy, Koko, Freestone, Herbert, and Roxanna Jensen (Sr., Coto de Caza, Calif., Psychology) all tallying two base knocks.
Springer struck out four against two walks in a complete-game victory.
It is the team’s second win over a ranked program this year, having also knocked off then-#16 Grand View 5-2 on March 22.
The game is the final collegiate contest for seniors Bice, Herbert, Jensen, Koko, and Rachael Trapp (Broken Arrow, Okla., Biology).
