Statesmen Win Two Low-Scoring Games at Morningside Tourney

William Penn Women’s Athletics

Sioux City–The William Penn softball team did just enough to sneak out a pair of victories at the Morningside Invitational Friday.

The Statesmen (15-7) defeated Jamestown (N.D.) 4-3 and Dickinson State (N.D.) 2-1. Saturday’s action was cancelled due to unplayable field conditions.

The navy and gold were outhit by the Jimmies 10-7 in the opener, but rallied with two runs in the fifth inning for the win.

William Penn scored in the first, only to give the lead to Jamestown (9-7) with two runs in the fourth frame. The teams exchanged a run in their next half innings before the Statesmen came out on top in the bottom of the fifth. Callie Henry (Sr., Earlham, Iowa, Elementary Education), who finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs, drove in the go-ahead run by singling home Ashlee Dennis (So., Loveland, Colo., Biology). Bri Zerley (So., Monroe, Iowa, Biology) was also 2-for-3 at the plate.

Carly Land (Sr., Mission Viejo, Calif., Education) struck out four (one walk) to improve to 8-4.

The pitching staffs were even more stingy in the nightcap as the Statesmen posted a 6-4 edge in hits. William Penn again got on the board first as Dennis scored on a double by K.C. Routos (Sr., Newcastle, Wash., Physical Education) in the first inning.

The Blue Hawks (11-12) finally broke through in the fourth, but Dennis provided a quick answer in the top of the fifth. Her single plated Sonia Ray (Jr., San Diego, Calif., Physical Education) and the navy and gold escaped perfect on day.

Jennifer Whitehead (Jr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Biology), who was still battling some lingering effects of an early-week illness, tossed four strong frames for the win. The junior southpaw (7-3) struck out two as did Land, who earned her first save with three shutout innings.

Next: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Monday to host Baker (Kan.) in a non-conference doubleheader that begins at 4 p.m.