Statesmen Dominate Opener, Fall Short in Nightcap
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–For the second-consecutive evening, the William Penn softball team was excellent for one half of its twinbill, but struggled to parlay that into a successful second half as it split a Midwest Collegiate Conference doubleheader against Clarke Thursday.
The 28th-ranked Statesmen (18-9, 6-2 MCC) took the first game 8-0 in six innings, but dropped the second matchup 8-7.
The hosts, with Jennifer Whitehead (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Biology) in the pitching circle, were loose in the opener and pounded out 14 hits (Whitehead allowed just three). While it took until the third frame for its first runs, the initial scores opened the floodgates.
Sydney Edwards (Jr., Galesburg, Ill., Psychology & Biology) posted her third home run of the spring, hitting a solo shot over the center field wall to make it 1-0, while Brittanee Grove (Jr., Runnells, Iowa, Elementary Education) singled behind her and later scored.
Four more runs were tallied in the fourth, highlighted by a two-run double by Edwards, while Brittanee Grove and Jessica Christensen (So., Marysville, Wash., Sociology) contributed RBI singles.
Still ahead 6-0 entering the bottom of the sixth, it took just three batters to close out the mercy-rule victory. Ashlee Dennis (Jr., Loveland, Colo., Biology) led off with a triple and Malloree Grove (Sr., Runnells, Iowa, Physical Education) brought her in with a double. Edwards then closed it out with another single to plate Grove. The junior, who was 3-for-4 (one walk as well) with four RBIs and two runs scored, was just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.
Brittanee Grove finished 3-for-3 with two runs tallied, while Christensen and Dennis (two runs) both managed 2-for-3 showings.
Whitehead earned her sixth shutout of the season with two strikeouts.
As the night grew colder, so unfortunately did the Statesmen offense. Brittanee Grove began game #2 on the rubber and was strong through two frames, including striking out the first four batters she faced.
The junior ran into big trouble in the third, however, giving up three runs. WPU fortunately answered the Crusaders (12-13, 3-5 MCC) with three runs of its own. Edwards had a run-scoring single, while CU committed two errors and had a wild pitch to help the hosts to their other two runs.
The fifth inning was a near duplication of the third with both sides again scoring three runs. The three by Clarke was enough to chase Brittanee Grove from the game. The junior permitted six runs (all earned) on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. She finished with seven strikeouts versus two walks.
Edwards posted yet another RBI single in the bottom half, while Christensen bettered that effort with a two-run double to make it 6-6 after five frames.
Lunden Young (Jr., Lewiston, Idaho, Physical Education) managed an inning-ending strikeout in the fifth, but could not get through the sixth unscathed with one run coming across. She tossed one inning, giving up one earned run on one hit with two Ks. The junior did not figure into the decision as WPU evened the score once more in the bottom of the sixth when Malloree Grove singled in Dennis.
Whitehead replaced Young to wrap up the sixth, but she too was tagged for a run in her outing. A leadoff home run in the seventh against the senior put the Crusaders up 8-7 and the edge stood as the navy and gold failed to have an answer the fourth time around. William Penn had runners at first and second with only one out, but a double play ended the challenge.
Whitehead took the loss in relief to fall to 12-2. She permitted one earned run on two hits in 1 1/3 frames (four strikeouts).
The Statesmen were outhit 11-6, but nearly overcame that measure as CU committed five fielding errors. Edwards was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Christensen was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Malloree Grove and Dennis (two walks) each rounded the bases twice as well.
Next: The teams will face off again Saturday with William Penn traveling to Dubuque for another MCC doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
