Randall, Hernandez Go Deep In Split with Ashford
William Penn University Athletics
Camanche—Cory Randall (Sr., What Cheer, Tri-County HS) made his first collegiate home run a big one Wednesday as the William Penn baseball team split a Midwest Collegiate Conference doubleheader with Ashford.
The Statesmen (20-22, 6-17 MCC) won the opener 8-6, but fell in the nightcap 7-6.
William Penn, playing as spoilers the remainder of the MCC slate, prevented Ashford (19-23, 12-8 MCC) from keeping pace near the top of the conference standings.
Facing off on a small field at Camanche High School, four different players hit a total of five roundtrippers in the twinbill. The games were originally scheduled to be contested in Oskaloosa, but William Penn’s field was not playable.
The Saints jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first game, but William Penn prepared for a battle and stormed back with six unanswered runs, including two in the second and third frames and one each in the fourth and fifth innings. Chris Witrado (Sr., Fresno, Calif., West Hills CC) recorded a pair of RBI singles in that stretch.
Ashford got back on the board with one run in the sixth to knot the contest at 6-6, but Jerry Hernandez (Sr., Moreno Valley, Calif., Chaffey CC) put his team up for good in the bottom half with a two-run home run. The four-bagger is his second of the season.
Both teams managed 11 hits with Hernandez, Witrado, and Miguel Castillon (Sr., Simi Valley, Calif., LA Mission CC) leading the Statesmen with two hits apiece. Hernandez, Witrado, and Stanley Muller (Jr., Tucson, Ariz., Cochise CC) all finished the game with two RBIs, while Hernandez crossed home plate a team-high twice as well. Eight William Penn batters connected for a hit in the win.
Steve Enriquez (Jr., Castro Valley, Calif., Laney CC) remained perfect on the year (6-0) by tossing a complete game. The junior allowed six runs (all earned) on 11 hits, while striking out six.
William Penn fell behind in the second contest as well, trailing 4-0 after two innings, but again rallied. The Statesmen scored four in the fifth as Randall cleared the fence with a grand slam to tie the matchup at 4-4. The team loaded the bases with back-to-back-to-back walks.
Ashford put three more on the board in the sixth, but William Penn had a little more fight left in the seventh. Randall and Evelio Ahumada (Jr., Hacienda Heights, Calif., Citrus CC) both made the trek around the pads, but unfortunately no more offense could be manufactured.
Randall was 2-for-2 with four RBIs and two runs scored, while the Statesmen were outhit 9-6.
Jorge Quezada (So., San Ysidro, Calif., Castle Park HS) took the loss to fall to 1-2. The sophomore allowed seven runs (all earned) on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings of work. He struck out nine and walked just two.
Jonathan Davis (Jr., San Diego, Calif., Southwestern CC) relieved him in the sixth and struck out the only batter he faced.
Next: William Penn travels to Bellevue, Neb. this weekend to play non-conference games against Bellevue and Missouri Valley Friday and Saturday.
