Offense Explodes as WPU Sweeps Graceland
William Penn University Athletics
Lamoni–The Statesmen softball team made it abundantly clear Thursday that it wants a chance at a postseason run as William Penn swept Graceland in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader.
WPU (24-29, 12-22 Heart) won by scores of 11-7 and 13-4. The navy and gold, who have just four games left on their slate, now lead the Yellowjackets (six games left) by two games in the race for the North Division’s last bid to the league tournament.
The visitors, who produced 38 hits (six left the park) on the afternoon, got started right away with two runs in the first frame. Emily Brown (Jr., Waverly, Iowa, Biology) accounted for the scores with a two-run shot.
After GU (17-29, 9-23 Heart) knotted the matchup with one run in both the first and second frames, Brown gave the Statesmen the lead for good by clearing the fence once more–this time a three-run blast.
The hosts narrowed the margin to one at 5-4 in the bottom half, but the rest of the game belonged to WPU. Chyanne Koko (Jr., Waianae, Hawaii, Physical Education) headlined a three-run fourth with a run-scoring single, while Thursday’s Homer Club added another member in the sixth as Michelle Castro (Fr., Acampo, Calif., Business Management) tallied a lead-off solo bomb (fourth of the year). Kayla Browning (Sr., Spring Valley, Calif., Biology) contributed a double as well that plated two more runs in the inning.
Eight of the team’s nine starters recorded a base knock in the victory. Castro blazed the trail with a 4-for-4 effort (two RBIs, three runs), while Brown finished with six RBIs and three runs scored (also had a sacrifice fly and a walk) on two hits.
Kodee Johnson (Sr., Stockton, Calif., General Mathematics) and Kacey Lutz (Jr., Lodi, Calif., Physical Education) each managed three hits; Lutz touched home plate twice as well. Jenny Navarro (Jr., Bellflower, Calif., Elementary Education) also posted two hits in the opener.
Graceland got within four runs in the final frame, but Katie Springer (So., Riverside, Iowa, Undecided) wrapped things up with three consecutive outs to preserve the triumph.
WPU extended its winning streak to four by dominating the nightcap with another 19 hits.
Brown’s day fortunately was not limited to success in just one contest as she started the second outing with a run-scoring double. She later scored in the first on a single by Koko.
Brooklyn Bantz (So., Smithville, Mo., Computer Science) then got into one in the top of the second, driving an offering over the wall in the second for a two-run roundtripper. It is Bantz’s first collegiate home run.
WPU was quieted over the following two innings, though, but had a huge send-off with nine runs in the last three frames. Brown connected on her third homer of the day (fifth on the season; all since April 20) in the fifth, while Dalaney Bice (Fr., Woodward, Iowa, Human Services & Psychology) joined the fun in the sixth with a grand slam. Bice now has two HRs in 2017.
Two final runs were plated in the seventh, headlined by Lutz coming home on a double steal.
Springer entered out of the bullpen again and again was tremendous, limiting the Yellowjackets to only one run on one hit (three strikeouts) in 2 1/3 frames.
This time around, all nine starting position players recorded a base knock. Brown, with four RBIs and three runs scored, and Castro with four runs scored, both managed four hits. Lutz, Koko, Navarro, and Browning finished up with two hits as well. Bantz drove in two runs.
Next Up: The Statesmen return to Oskaloosa Friday to host Grand View for its home finale and Senior Day. The Heart doubleheader will begin at 4 p.m.
