Late Rally Propels Statesmen to ‘W’
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The WPU Baseball team was back in action on Saturday afternoon as they hosted game one of a three game set against Culver-Stockton.
It was the first of a nine-game homestand for the Statesmen (20-5, 6-2 Heart) who are winners of 11 of their last 13. Culver-Stockton (7-18, 3-7 Heart) on the other hand has been trending in the opposite direction, losing four of its last five heading into the Heart of America Athletic Conference matchup.
Augie Voight (Sr., Waukeegan, Ill., Secondary Education) toed the rubber for the first game of the weekend. It was his third start of the season and the senior delivered a masterpiece going the distance, allowing only one earned run on seven hits while striking out eight over the nine frames. The win improved his record to 2-0 on the season and lowered his ERA to 2.49 in the 5-2 victory.
It was a pitcher’s duel throughout most the contest with a 2-2 tie entering the bottom of the eighth inning but then as the sun came out and the air started to warm up, so did the Statesmen bats.
Tanner Bedier (Fr., Bondurant, Iowa, Business Management) led off the inning with a double that hooked just inside the third base line as the Wildcat third basemen made a good effort but was unable to come up with the hot shot. With a man on second and nobody out, Blaze Speas (Sr., O’Fallon, Mo., Wellness and Recreation) laced a single up the middle, scoring Bedier and giving them the late lead. WPU was not done however, as after they loaded the bases, Boston Romero provided some insurance with a big two-out, two-RBI single over the leaping C-SC shortstop.
Voight closed the door in the ninth, striking out two of the last three hitters to seal the Navy and Gold’s 20th win of the season. It is the first time WPU has reached the 20-win mark since the 2015-2016 season.
Romero finished 3-4 at the dish, Bedier also reached base three times while Speas and Seth Reisbeck (Sr., Meridian, Id., History/Government) each collected two knocks and an RBI.
“It was a tough game that could have gone either way.” Head Coach Mike Laird said. “Fortunately, we were able to put the rally together late. Voight threw a heck of a game while Bedier made things happen on the bases.”
