William Penn Remains in Playoff Hunt with Sweep of Pride
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen softball team claimed a pair of must-win contests Thursday as it swept Clarke in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader.
WPU (19-27, 8-14 Heart) won by scores of 2-1 and 7-2. The Statesmen are outside looking in for one of the final bids to next week’s Heart Championship, but still have a very viable path to a spot in the tournament.
The visitors held a 6-5 advantage in hits in the opener, but trailed 1-0 entering the sixth inning.
Tori Smith (Fr., Olympia, Wash., Secondary Education) then led off the bottom of the sixth with a double and scored in the ensuing at-bat as Peyton Naranjo (Fr., Ripon, Calif., Biology) flipped a single down the right field line.
WPU finished the come-from-behind win in the seventh, beginning with a leadoff single by Charley Geguzis (Sr., Williamsburg, Iowa, Business Management). The senior stole second and was moved to third on a single by Abby Wilson (Sr., Calgary, Alberta, Nursing). She eventually scored on a ball hit by Chelsey Huff (Jr., Douds, Iowa, Exercise Science).
Huff, who only permitted one run to CU in the second inning, locked down the hosts for the remainder of the matchup. The junior struck out 11 against one walk in a complete-game victory.
Naranjo headlined the offensive attack with a 2-for-3 showing, while Laila Smith (Fr., Olympia, Wash., Elementary Education) drew a pair of walks.
“The first game was pretty typical for us,” Head Coach Laura North said. “Chelsey Huff pitched a great game, but we could not get anything going offensively. I am proud that we finally figured out a way to manufacture some runs. Peyton Naranjo was big for us. As a freshman, we have been super impressed with her ability to stay consistent at the plate.”
WPU’s lineup was much more adept at the dish in the nightcap, recording a 14-7 margin in base knocks.
Clarke (21-21, 7-15 Heart) scored once in the first inning, but the navy and gold pounced in the second with four runs. Allyson Stewart (Sr., Delta, B.C., Nursing) started the scoring with a two-run single, while Geguzis (single) and Laila Smith (double) produced run-scoring hits as well for a 4-1 lead.
The Pride trimmed the margin to two in the fourth, but the Statesmen iced the win with a three-spot in the seventh. Laila Smith initiated the run with a solo home run, while Tori Smith had a sacrifice fly and Nayely Martinez (Sr., Carson, Calif., Business Management) singled home the final run of the day.
Six separate WPU batters had two hits, including Laila Smith, Huff, Naranjo, Martinez, Geguzis, and Alexis Price (So., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Elementary Education). Laila Smith and Stewart each knocked in two runs, and Naranjo scored twice. Martinez drew a walk in the nightcap as well.
Emily Bryant (Sr., University Place, Wash., Nursing) cruised inside the circle, permitting only two runs on seven hits. The senior struck out one Clarke hitter and walked a pair in the complete-game triumph.
“The second game was a fun one,” North said. “Our offense really took off and gave Emily Bryant some wiggle room, but she really did not need it as she pitched a great game.”
“Getting two wins today was super important,” North added. “Like us, Clarke entered on the bubble for the conference tournament, so a sweep was just what we needed. It was a very fun day.”
Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Saturday to host Peru State in a Heart doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. The games will also serve as Senior Day.
