Statesmen Snap Out of Slump at Ashford Tourney
William Penn University Athletics
Clinton–The William Penn softball team produced plenty of offense to return to its winning ways with a pair of victories at the Ashford Spring Jamboree Friday.
The Statesmen (25-13) defeated Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) 9-1 (5 innings) and then beat Trinity Christian (Ill.) 8-4.
The navy and gold, who outhit the Wolves 10-4 in the day’s first contest, took the early lead and rolled from there.
Two runs came across in the first on a double by Jessica Christensen (Fr., Marysville, Wash., Sociology). An additional two runs were added in the third as Bri Zerley (So., Monroe, Iowa, Biology) and Cassie Lohman (Sr., Burbank, Calif., Sociology) garnered one RBI each.
The game was put out of reach with five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a pinch-hit two-run double by Callie Henry (Sr., Earlham, Iowa, Elementary Education) and another RBI two-bagger by K.C. Routos (Sr., Newcastle, Wash., Physical Education).
Zerley was the squad’s top hitter with a 3-for-4 showing, while Molly Miller (Sr., Kalona, Iowa, Business Management) was 2-for-4 with three runs scored. Routos also crossed home plate twice.
Jennifer Whitehead (Jr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Biology) struck out ten (three walks) to move to 11-7 this spring.
A 14-7 edge in base knocks eventually wore down the Trolls in Friday’s second game. The Statesmen got on the board with two in the top of the first, but Trinity Christian answered right back with all four of its runs in the bottom half.
Fortunately, one run in the third, fourth, and fifth frames finally put William Penn ahead for good. Three final runs were recorded in the seventh to help the Statesmen to a perfect day.
Cassie Lohman (Sr., Burbank, Calif., Sociology) was 3-for-3 with two RBIs, while Zerley finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Miller (2-for-4) scored twice and Ashlee Dennis (So., Loveland, Colo., Biology) managed a 2-for-3 performance.
Carly Land (Sr., Mission Viejo, Calif., Education) had twice as many strikeouts as walks, 6 to 3, and did not permit an earned run. She is now 14-6.
Next: William Penn returns home Saturday to host Grand View in a Midwest Collegiate Conference doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. The twinbill, which has been moved to the Lacey Complex, will serve as the program’s annual Cancer Awareness Day.
