Statesmen Split Low-Scoring Twinbill
Peru, Neb.–Behind two strong pitching performances, the William Penn softball team split a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader with Peru State Tuesday.
WPU (14-17, 8-11 Heart) lost the first game 2-1, but picked up the second contest 3-0.
The visitors were no-hit by opening game pitcher Alana Krieser back in March, and once again had struggles against the PSC hurler Tuesday. The squad finally tallied its first hit in the fourth inning as Nayely Martinez (Fr., Carson, Calif.) led off with a single. She eventually proceeded to third base before being stranded.
Fortunately, Peyton Parker (Jr., LaPorte City, Iowa, Sports Management) was also quite competent in the circle, keeping the Bobcats (14-18, 8-9 Heart) scoreless through the early frames.
The navy and gold finally gave their junior thrower some run support in the fifth as Avery Rayos (Jr., Henderson, Nev., Biology) started a two-out rally with a single. She then stole second base before coming around on a one-bagger by Lexi Resa (Jr., Liberty, Mo., Biology).
Parker had limited trouble with Peru State through five innings, but the hosts eventually broke through in the sixth with a game-tying run. With the score knotted at 1-1 entering the bottom of the seventh, the Bobcats finished their come-from-behind victory in walk-off fashion by scoring with two outs.
WPU was outhit 7-3, while Parker struck out six (one walk) in 6 2/3 innings.
The offenses were again quieted in the opening frames of the nightcap with the first runs coming in the fifth. The Statesmen, who managed a 7-2 edge in base knocks, produced three in the top of the fifth, all with two outs already recorded.
Valeria Quiroga (Fr., San Benito, Texas, Sociology) started the rally with a single and advanced to third on a Lexi Riccardi (Sr., Redwood City, Calif., Biology) double. Rachael Haessly (Jr., Alpine, Calif., Biology) then brought in both of her teammates on another single.
The Statesmen concluded the day’s scoring in the seventh with help from a fielding mistake by the Bobcats. Quiroga drew a one-out walk and Shinead Promnitz (Fr., Krugensdorp, South Africa) pinch-ran for her. The freshman eventually scored three batters later on an error by PSC’s second baseman.
The three runs were more than enough for starter Ashton Brown (Fr., Ottumwa, Iowa), who struck out 10 (no walks) in a complete game, her first as a Statesmen. The win is also the first of her collegiate career.
Riccardi topped the hitting lineup by going 2-for-4.
Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Friday to host MidAmerica Nazarene in a Heart doubleheader at 4 p.m.
