William Penn Swept by Lyon
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Batesville, Ark.–The Statesmen softball team had a tough return to action as it was swept in a non-conference tripleheader by non-conference foe Lyon Sunday.
WPU (2-4) lost the opener 6-1, the middle contest 1-0, and the finale 8-1.
Lyon 6, WPU 1
Lexi Resa (Fr., Liberty, Mo., Biology) put the navy and gold on top in the third. The freshman led off with a single and eventually made it 1-0 by scoring on a sacrifice fly by Kacey Lutz (Sr., Lodi, Calif., Physical Education).
Unfortunately, the Scots, who remain undefeated at 11-0, took their first lead with three runs in the fourth. They then tacked on two more in the fifth and another in the sixth to take the day’s first matchup.
William Penn was outhit 10-1, but only three of the runs against Katie Springer (Jr., Riverside, Iowa, Undecided) were earned. She struck out two and walked two in the setback.
Lyon 1, WPU 0
The home squad tallied the lone run of the game in the fifth, while WPU left runners at third in both the fourth and fifth frames. The Statesmen had a chance to tie it up with their last at-bats in the seventh, but stranded a runner at second to end the game.
Shelby Copley (Jr., Denver, Colo., Secondary Education) permitted seven hits in the complete game (team was outhit 7-3); she managed four strikeouts versus two base on balls as well.
Lyon 8, WPU 1
For the second time on Sunday, William Penn captured the early lead as Copley doubled home Lutz in the top of the first. The day belonged to Lyon, however, as it scored multiple runs in the second, fourth, and fifth innings to finish off the sweep. WPU positioned itself to make it interesting, but left the bases loaded in the fifth and seventh frames.
Six Statesmen recorded one base knock apiece as the visitors were outhit 9-6. It was a feast-or-famine type of afternoon for starter Karlee-Rose Perry (Jr., Puyallup, Wash., General Biology) as she struck out six (one walk) in 3 2/3 innings. Only three of the five runs she permitted were earned.
Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Friday for its home opener, hosting Concordia (Mich.) in a non-conference doubleheader at 5 p.m.
