Offense Slowed in Sweep by Culver-Stockton

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Canton, Mo.–Less than 24 hours after failing to do much at the plate against a different league foe, the Statesmen softball team tried unsuccessfully to turn the page and was swept by Culver-Stockton in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader Wednesday.

WPU (15-17, 6-6 Heart) lost by scores of 5-1 and 6-1.

The visitors, who held an 8-7 edge in hits in the opener, loaded the bases right away in the first, but were unable to plate a runner, setting an ominous tone for the day.

Sonia Reddy (Jr., Tracy, Calif., Exercise Science) did get the navy and gold on the board first with a solo home run in the third. The roundtripper is her second of the year.

William Penn was up and down the rest of the game, getting runners into scoring position in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh frames, but no one else made it all the way around.

That left the door open for the host Wildcats (15-10, 9-3 Heart) and they gave it a good shove in the sixth, tallying all five of their runs. Karlee-Rose Perry (Sr., Kaupo, Hawaii, General Biology) was strong through five innings, but walked the lead-off batter in the sixth and was replace in the circle.

Unfortunately, the bullpen personnel did not fare any better and C-SC rallied for the win.

Reddy paced the offense by going 2-for-3 with a walk, while Emily Brown (Sr., Waverly, Iowa, Biology) drew a pair of walks.

Culver-Stockton claimed the early lead in the nightcap and never relinquished it, managing two runs in the second, fourth, and fifth frames.

The Statesmen, who were outhit 6-3, only responded with a lone run in the seventh as Brown rounded the pads.

Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Saturday to face #19 Baker in a Heart doubleheader at 1 p.m.