William Penn Blanks Viterbo Twice in MCC Double Dip
William Penn's Randall Packard connects during Saturday's game against Viterbo
Oskaloosa–Staff aces Jorge Quezada (Jr., San Ysidro, Calif., Castle Park HS) and David Ness (Sr., Purceville, Va., Frederick CC) dominated Viterbo’s lineup Saturday as the Statesmen baseball team won 6-0 and 3-0 in Midwest Collegiate Conference action.
William Penn (10-11, 4-1 MCC) claimed the early lead over the V-Hawks (2-13, 0-4 MCC) and never let up.
The home squad recorded its first run in the first on a single by Randall Packard (Sr., Forestville, Calif., Cal State-Monterey) that brought in Stanley Muller (Sr., Tucson, Ariz., Cochise CC). The junior center fielder led off with a walk.
Nick Kirby (Jr., Palmdale, Calif., Antelope Valley CC) highlighted a three-run third when he stole home plate. Kirby crept ever so slightly down the third-base line before sprinting the rest of the way, eventually sneaking in under the tag of catcher Jeff Clabots.
Another smart running play confused Viterbo enough to allow Packard to score, while Muller once again touched the final base on a groundout by Brad Chin (Sr., San Rafael, Calif., San Rafael HS).
Kirby laid down a perfect suicide squeeze bunt in the fourth to plate Aaron Laird (Sr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS), and Muller made it 6-0 in the sixth by coming home on another RBI one-bagger via Packard.
The Statesmen held a 9-2 edge in hits, including three by Kirby and two each from Muller and Packard.
All of that was much more than enough to lift Quezada’s season mark to 4-2. The junior struck out a season-high ten in a two-hit shutout. Quezada has not allowed a run (only six hits) in his last 21 innings, striking out 24 and walking just one.
Not to be outdone, Ness tossed a great outing in the nightcap as well. He had to work a bit harder, however, as his offensive support was on the lighter side.
William Penn finally broke through in the third when Jayme Mueller (Jr., Mundelein, Ill., College of Lake County CC) led off with a walk and then scored on a throwing error by the catcher.
Two more runs were added in the fifth. After back-to-back groundouts, Muller started a two-out rally with a base on balls. He then stole second and was brought around by a Kirby single.
Kirby then matched Muller by stealing second and scoring on a single by Chin.
The hosts were outhit 5-3, but came out on top by persevering through a few rough patches. The toughest patch came in the top of the seventh when the V-Hawks loaded the bases.
Fortunately, Ness struck out the final batter to pick up the win. The senior (4-1) had nine strikeouts (two walks) in his first shutout in the navy and gold.
Next: The teams face off again Sunday to conclude the weekend series. The nine-inning contest begins at 1 p.m.
