Statesmen Conclude 2019 Winless at Heart Tournament
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Cedar Rapids–The William Penn softball team was unable to get the offense kick-started Wednesday as it was eliminated from competition at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament.
WPU (24-33), which defeated Graceland Monday in the play-in game, opened the double-elimination bracket event as the #8 seed and fell to the consolation side with a 5-0 loss to top-seeded Baker. The navy and gold were then shut out once more by #5 seed Mount Mercy 2-0 to complete their 2019 campaign.
Unfortunately, the Statesmen were stymied at the plate against Heart Pitcher of the Year Olivia Brees as the Wildcats’ hurler tossed a perfect game against WPU. Baker (42-7) scored once in both the first and fourth frames and three more times in the sixth for the victory.
Katie Springer (Sr., Riverside, Iowa, Psychology and Human Services) held her own in the circle, permitting just two earned runs on seven hits, while striking out three and walking three.
The senior was solid in the consolation matchup as well as the Mustangs (31-21) tallied just one run on five base knocks in her three innings of work. Springer had three strikeouts in her final collegiate outing.
Karlee-Rose Perry (Sr., Kaupo, Hawaii, General Biology) came out of the bullpen and also had success, striking out five (no walks), while allowing an unearned run on one hit in three frames of work.
WPU put runners on base in the second and third innings, but had its best scoring opportunity come in the fifth. The squad had runners on second and third with just one out, but unfortunately could not bring either player home.
MMU countered with one run in the third and one more in the sixth to extend its season.
WPU was outhit 5-4 with Lexi Resa (So., Liberty, Mo., Biology) topping the crew by going 2-for-2 with a single and a double.
The loss ends the collegiate careers of varsity players Emily Brown (Sr., Waverly, Iowa, Biology), Shelby Copley (Sr., Denver, Colo., Biology), Savannah Fleming (Sr., Gooding, Idaho, Exercise Science), Perry, and Springer.
