Smith Home Run Leads WPU to Split on First Day at St. Ambrose Tourney
Davenport–The Statesmen softball team utilized its first long ball of the season to post a 1-1 record on the opening day of the St. Ambrose Dome Tournament Saturday.
William Penn (7-5) defeated Mount Marty (S.D.) 6-3 in the day’s opener, but then fell 2-1 to Saint Xavier (Ill.) in the nightcap.
The navy and gold scored the first two runs against the Lancers in the bottom of the first, including a double by Chelsey Huff (Jr., Douds, Iowa, Exercise Science) that plated Nayely Martinez (Sr., Carson, Calif., Business Management).
MMC responded with a run in the top of the second frame, but William Penn got that run back and more in its next at-bats. Martinez singled in Abby Wilson (Sr., Calgary, Alberta, Nursing), while Laila Smith (Fr., Olympia, Wash., Elementary Education) put a shot over the fence for the program’s first roundtripper of the campaign (Martinez also came around).
Both sides also tallied one run in the fourth with Crystal Warren (Fr., Las Vegas, Nev., Secondary Education) accomplishing the feat on a wild pitch.
William Penn was efficient, scoring six times on just seven hits (six hits for Mount Marty). Wilson and Martinez both managed two base knocks, while Martinez drew a walk as well.
Tori Smith (Fr., Olympia, Wash., Secondary Education) had a colorful stat line in gathering the win. In five innings, she allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits, while striking out seven and walking six. Emily Bryant (Sr., University Place, Wash., Nursing) was effective in relief as she permitted just two hits in two scoreless innings (one strikeout).
“We came out ready against Mount Marty,” Head Coach Laura North said. “It was nice to get some early runs and play with a lead. [/sports/sball/2023-24/bios/wilson_abby_8cyd]Abby Wilson and [/sports/sball/2023-24/bios/martinez_nayely_jxpo]Nayely Martinez continue to be solid at the top of the lineup. [/sports/sball/2023-24/bios/smith_laila_2qh1]Laila Smith got her first home run of the year which was very deserving. [/sports/sball/2023-24/bios/smith_tori_q6l6]Tori Smith and [/sports/sball/2023-24/bios/bryant_emily_rzgl]Emily Bryant were both very effective; they continue to grow and get better.”
Huff tossed another gem, but her offense was stymied by the Cougars’ strong hurler. She and SXU pitcher Laila Summers combined for 24 strikeouts against just one walk.
Saint Xavier put the first run on the board in the first and then doubled its lead in the fifth. WPU eventually broke through in the sixth, but could not come up with the tying run. Martinez reached on an error, while Zoey Jones (Sr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Elementary Education), who had a pinch-hit single earlier in the frame, touched home plate for the squad’s lone run.
“This was another close loss to a ranked team,” North said. “It was a really good game with [/sports/sball/2023-24/bios/huff_chelsey_vdex]Chelsey Huff having her best game of the year. Offensively, we struggled, but in the sixth, if we hit a ball six inches more one way, we would have taken the lead. We are still making some baserunning mistakes and not being as aggressive as I would like, but it is only February. Every game has been an opportunity to learn and experience situations that will hopefully help us win in April and May.”
Next Up: William Penn remains in Davenport Sunday, facing Saint Xavier at 3:15 p.m. and host St. Ambrose at 5:30 p.m.
