Statesmen on Losing End Twice to Baker
Baldwin City, Kan.–The William Penn softball team was in need of a couple timely hits that never came Sunday as it was swept by Baker in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader.
WPU (17-27, 6-14 Heart) fell by scores of 1-0 and 4-2.
The navy and gold matched the Wildcats (30-11, 15-6 Heart) with four hits each in the opener, but failed to bring anyone around. The visitors put runners on base in each of the first six innings, including advancing someone to third base in the second and sixth frames. Unfortunately, the player was stranded on every occasion.
BU, however, broke the scoreless tie in the fourth and held on for the victory.
Chelsey Huff (Jr., Douds, Iowa, Exercise Science) did everything she could in the pitcher’s circle, but it was not enough. The junior struck out four against one walk in six strong innings, but she was saddled with the loss.
Peyton Naranjo (Fr., Ripon, Calif., Biology) headlined the offensive efforts with a hit and a walk, while Tori Smith (Fr., Olympia, Wash., Secondary Education) and Alexis Price (So., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Elementary Education) both recorded doubles.
William Penn, which posted a 5-4 edge in base knocks, was in the driver’s seat in the nightcap, but was unable to hold off a late Baker charge as the hosts secured the sweep.
Allyson Stewart (Sr., Delta, B.C., Nursing) and Charley Geguzis (Sr., Williamsburg, Iowa, Business Management) had back-to-back one-out singles in the third and were eventually driven in on a one-bagger by Abby Wilson (Sr., Calgary, Alberta, Nursing). Wilson led her crew with a 2-for-3 showing.
Unfortunately, BU finally got things going in the fifth with one run and then leapt past the Statesmen with three tallies in the sixth.
WPU threatened in the sixth with a pair of baserunners, but came up empty.
Emily Bryant (Sr., University Place, Wash., Nursing) did more than just hold her own versus Baker, going 5 1/3 innings and permitting just four runs (three earned) on three hits.
Next Up: William Penn travels to Dubuque next Friday to face Clarke in a Heart doubleheader at 1 p.m.
