Statesmen Take Down Embry-Riddle, Fall to Dakota Wesleyan in Tucson
Tucson, Ariz.– On day two of the Tucson Invitational Games, William Penn once again split its contests Friday, falling to Dakota Wesleyan 3-1 in game one before earning a 12-7 victory over Embry-Riddle in game two.
Dakota Wesleyan 3, WPU 1
In a pitchers’ duel through the first four innings, the game remained scoreless as neither team could generate any runs.
The Tigers (12-9) struck first in the top of the fifth inning, scoring two runs to take the lead.
Dakota Wesleyan added another run in the top of the sixth inning, extending its lead to 3-0.
Breleigh Mengel (Fr., Jefferson, Wis., Nursing) attempted to spark a late rally for the Statesmen with a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough as WPU fell 3-1.
WPU 12, Embry-Riddle 7
The Statesmen bounced back in game two, jumping on the Eagles early with five runs in the top of the first inning. Leah Conlon (Fr., Sioux City, Iowa, Exercise Science) ignited the offense with a two-RBI single, driving in Laila Smith (Jr., Olympia, Wash., Elementary Education) and Marin Frazee (Jr., Sioux City, Iowa, Exercise Science).
Leah Conlon was brought home by Eva Viox (So., Columbia, Mo., Exercise Science) to give WPU a 3-0 lead. Rylee Riesberg (Jr., Ankeny, Iowa, Exercise Science) added the fourth and fifth runs of the inning with a two-RBI single to left field, driving in Eva Viox and Tori Smith (Jr., Olympia, Wash., Secondary Education).
Embry-Riddle (11-7) responded with two runs in the bottom of the second inning, cutting the WPU lead to 5-2.
In the top of the third inning, Eva Viox added two more RBIs to her day, singling to center field to bring home Tori Smith and Leah Conlon. Rylee Reisberg followed with a sacrifice fly, allowing Breleigh Mengel to tag up and score, pushing the Statesmen lead to 8-2.
In the top of the fourth inning, Tori Smith launched a three-run home run, driving in Laila Gutierrez (Jr., Seminole, Texas, Business Management) and Leah Conlon to extend the WPU lead to 11-2.
The Eagles responded with a run in the bottom of the fourth, cutting the score to 11-3.
Mckenna Vasser (Fr., Rochester, Wash., Business Management) put the Statesmen on the board in the top of the fifth with a sacrifice fly to center field, driving in Eva Viox and giving WPU a 12-3 lead.
Embry-Riddle responded with two runs in the bottom of the fifth and added another two in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough as WPU held on for a 12-7 victory.
Tori Smith earned the win for the Statesmen, pitching 4.2 innings, while Shannon Van Rheenen (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Nursing) closed out the game to secure the victory for William Penn.
Tori Smith and Eva Viox led the way for WPU in the 12-run outing, each recording a double and driving in three RBIs in game two. Rylee Riesberg also contributed three RBIs, while Leah Conlon added two more to the offensive effort.
Up Next: WPU remains in Tucson to continue play in day three of the Tucson Invitational Games, where they are scheduled to face Providence and Dickinson State on Saturday.
