Bats Break Out as WPU Sweeps Baker
Oskaloosa—After 18 games, the Statesmen finally got an opportunity to play on their home turf as they hosted Baker in Heart of America Athletic Conference action.
The offense broke out for William Penn (12-8, 3-3 Heart) as they combined for 25 runs across the pair of games as they swept the Wildcats (5-16, 0-6 Heart) by the scores of 12-5 and 13-5.
WPU 12, BU 5
The navy and gold got on the board first as Jarrett Hunt (Sr., Logan, Utah, Digital Communication) singled home Alex Fisher (Jr., Sydney, Aus., Biology) to take a 1-0 lead. They added cushion in the third as they played five runs, highlighted by a two-RBI double off the bat of Jake Vernon (Sr., Elkhart, Ind., Interdisciplinary Studies).
Baker did not fold however and found themselves back in the ballgame as they cut into a 7-1 Statesmen lead, plating four runs in the top of the sixth but WPU punched right back with four in the bottom of the sixth capped off by a Fisher two-RBI single, scoring Dominic Bravo (Jr., Downey, Calif., Digital Communication), and Snaider Torrealba (Sr., Barquisimeto, Ven., Sports Management).
Chase Stratton (Sr., Clearfield, Utah, Sports Management) toed the slab in game one and earned the win going 5 1/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits while fanning Wildcat hitters. Stetson Denning (So., Queen Creek, Ariz., Sports Management) threw the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing no earned run and no hits and striking out one to close the door.
Hunt led the Statesmen in the hit column as he collected three and a RBI. Vernon also logged a multi-hit effort as he finished 2-4 with 2 RBIs as did Soren Graversen (Jr., Calgary, Alberta, Human Services) as he had two extra-base hits including a towering two-run home run that cleared the right-center field fence.
WPU 13, BU 5
The offense continued its onslaught in game two of the doubleheader as WPU hit around in the bottom of the first inning and scoring seven runs as the dust settled. Bravo had the big blow in the inning plating a pair of a single up the middle.
The navy and gold scored three more in the third to really break open and extend the lead to 10-0. Fisher hit his second home run in his first campaign as a Statesmen as he cleared the right center field fence, driving in Adrian Garcia (Sr., Ontario, Calif., Mechanical Engineering).
Lionel Colon (Sr., Vieques, P.R., Business Management) started the second game and he delivered throwing 4 1/3, allowing three earned runs while striking out five to pick up the win. Jakob Crampton (So., Elkhorn, Neb., Business Management) inherited a bases-loaded jam in the sixth and skated around it without any damage before closing the door with a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh to secure the victory.
Torrealba logged three hits and scored twice to help lead the offense. Garcia and Fisher each finished 2-4 with Garcia driving in four runs in the process.
William Penn was able to run at will on Baker as they combined for seven stolen bases in the two games.
Next Up: The Statesmen will return to Penn Field on Sunday as they conclude the weekend with a doubleheader against Benedictine.
