Statesmen Snatch First Win in DH Split Versus St. Mary (Kan.)
William Penn University Athletics
Leavenworth, Kan.–The William Penn baseball team recorded its first victory of 2012 during a double dip against non-conference foe St. Mary (Kan.) Sunday.
The Statesmen (1-5) won the opener 8-3, but then dropped the second contest 7-5.
The visitors, who were limited to just four runs in losing all four games to Northwestern the previous weekend, erupted for three runs in the first inning Sunday.
Randall Packard (Sr., Forestville, Calif., Cal State-Monterey) delivered the big punch with a two-run double. He later scored in the frame.
Still up 3-1 entering the third frame, the navy and gold added to the advantage with two more runs. Packard again delivered as he led off with a solo home run, the team’s first roundtripper of the campaign.
Aaron Laird (Sr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) tacked on an RBI single as well.
The Spires clawed to a 5-3 margin entering the final inning, but a three-run seventh closed the door. Nathan Wood (Jr., Tucson, Ariz., Arizona Western CC) managed a run-scoring double, while Jayme Mueller (Jr., Mundelein, Ill., College of Lake County CC) brought in the final two runs on a one-bagger.
William Penn finished with 13 hits, including a game-best three via Mueller. Packard and Evelio Ahumada (Sr., Hacienda Heights, Calif., Citrus CC) each tallied two base knocks as well. Packard and pinchrunner Daniel Wehr (Sr., Sigourney, Sigourney HS) also crossed home plate twice.
It was a good thing the offense was firing on all cylinders because the Statesmen defense struggled to the tune of five errors.
Jorge Quezada (Jr., San Ysidro, Calif., Castle Park HS) was the recipient of the strong plate presence as he was lifted to his first win of the season. Quezada (1-1) allowed just three runs (none earned due to the errors) on five hits. He also struck out five against just one walk.
David Ness (Sr., Purceville, Va., Frederick CC) tossed a perfect seventh inning in relief.
The offense and defense went in different directions in the nightcap as William Penn posted just six hits, but also committed only one fielding error.
The visitors again jumped out on top, this time with two runs in the first frame. Packard produced an RBI single to plate Michael Crandell (Jr., Napa, Calif., Napa CC). Brad Chin (Sr., San Rafael, Calif., San Rafael HS) also scored on the play (error).
The squad extended the lead on another Packard single in the third, while Mueller matched him with an RBI in the fourth. The score then stood at 4-1 in favor of the navy and gold.
Unfortunately, St. Mary had a great fourth inning with its first six batters all reaching the pads (two walks were followed by four consecutive singles). It resulted in a four-run frame and the hosts never trailed again.
Two more Spire runs were tabulated before the Statesmen ended the scoring with one in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Stanley Muller (Sr., Tucson, Ariz., Cochise CC).
Packard was the standout at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Jonathan Davis (Sr., San Diego, Calif., Southwestern CC) was strong for the first three innings, but could not escape the fourth and was straddled with the loss. The senior gave up seven runs (six earned) on seven hits in four frames. He struck out two with two bases on balls to fall to 0-1.
Brad McGuire (Jr., Covina, Calif., Citrus CC) and Steve Enriquez (Sr., Castro Valley, Calif., Laney CC) both threw no-hit, one-strikeout innings to close the twinbill.
Next: William Penn travels to Tucson, Ariz. March 4-10 for its annual spring break trip. The team plays ten games over six days, facing NCAA Division II, III, and NAIA competition.
