William Penn Athletics News April 17
William Penn University Athletics
William Penn Drops Two More to Waldorf
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen baseball team was left scratching its collective head Sunday after falling twice more to Waldorf in Midwest Collegiate Conference play.
William Penn (19-21, 5-16 MCC) lost by scores of 6-1 and 4-1 to be swept in the season series to the Warriors (20-13, 12-6 MCC). It is the first time all season the Statesmen have dipped below the .500 mark.
The visitors started the day’s scoring with two runs in the top of the first. The Statesmen answered with one of their own on a single by Jerry Hernandez (Sr., Moreno Valley, Calif., Chaffey CC) that plated Cory Randall (Sr., What Cheer, Tri-County HS).
Unfortunately, the remainder of the opener belonged to the Warriors as they scored twice more in the second and added insurance runs in the fourth and sixth frames.
William Penn was outhit 7-4, including a pair of base knocks by Randall.
Chris Freedman (Sr., Walnut, Calif., Citrus CC) took the loss to fall to 3-3. The senior, who worked 3 2/3 innings, gave up five runs (all earned) on six hits and struck out one against three walks.
Jonathan Davis (Jr., San Diego, Calif., Southwestern CC) relieved him in the fourth and performed quite well, giving up one lone run (unearned) on one hit in 3 1/3 frames. He walked two in the appearance.
The offense was stymied even more in the nightcap as Waldorf starter Shaun McGuire retired his first 17 batters in order (5 2/3 innings).
Dirck Jackman (Sr., San Jose, Calif., Mission CC) finally got through by reaching on an error, while Randall broke up the no-hitter with a single in the next at-bat.
The Statesmen failed to score in the sixth, but managed to deny McGuire the shutout with a run in the final frame. Hernandez singled and later scored on a sacrifice flyout by Miguel Castillon (Sr., Simi Valley, Calif., LA Mission CC). It was not enough, however, as William Penn was again on the bottom side of an 8-2 hits tally.
David Ness (Jr., Purcellville, Va., Frederick CC) was abused by the Warriors in the three-run third inning and fell to 2-4 on the season. The junior gave up three runs (all earned) on five hits. He struck out three against two walks in three frames of work.
Devin Lange (Jr., Tucson, Ariz., Paradise Valley CC) matched Davis with an effective relief outing, keeping his team close with four innings of one-run ball. The junior allowed three hits with three strikeouts and two bases on balls.
Next: William Penn remains at home Wednesday to host Ashford in an MCC doubleheader beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Lady Statesmen Seventh at Miserable League Tourney
Riverside–In a battle between weather and women’s golfers, Mother Nature came out victorious as the Midwest Collegiate Conference Women’s Golf Championships were contested Friday and Saturday.
Due to strong wind, heavy rain, and bitterly cold temperatures, the tournament was shortened nine holes to just 27 holes. The field played just a few holes on Friday before postponing action. The players concluded the Championships with a full round on Saturday.
William Penn placed seventh out of nine teams with a final tally of 629 (429-200) at the par-72 Blue Top Ridge Golf Course.
Ashford held on for the title in a wild four-team scramble at the top. The Saints won with a score of 565 (376-189), defeating Grand View by just two strokes. St. Ambrose, four strokes back, and Viterbo, five back, were also in contention.
Ashford now earns the MCC’s automatic berth to the NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships on May 17-20 in Greeneville, Tenn.
Nicole McDonald of Grand View will represent the conference as well, winning the medalist honor with a 125 (83-42), six strokes better than her next-closest competitor.
Dena Stevens (Jr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) headlined the Lady Statesmen effort. The junior finished 22nd overall at 151 (105-46), while Aubrey Leasure (Jr., St. Peter, Minn., St. Peter HS) utilized a solid first round of 99 to tie for 24th (99-54–153).
Courtney Kronmuller (So., Fountain Valley, Calif., Fullerton CC) was next in a tie for 27th at 156 (110-46) and Presley Joss (So., Osceola, Clarke HS) rounded out the scoring with a 169 (115-54) to tie for 43rd.
“In my four years as a player and a season as a coach in this conference, I have never seen players play in those conditions,” Lady Statesmen Head Coach Nik Rule said. “When there is a 25-stroke difference between the top individual score from last year and this year, you know things were tough. We have some excellent players in our conference and on our team, but unfortunately due to the conditions, their scores do not even come close to reflecting their talents.”
“This team has been amazing,” Rule added. “They knew this year was going to be tough as we rebuild this program and they handled it with maturity, class, and unity. Because of their effort on and off the course, we have some great players joining us this fall. Again, because of this group of five, we are going to take the course next year and surprise a lot of people with a stronger and deeper team.”
