WPU Bounces Back in Nightcap for Split Versus C-SC

Canton, Mo.–After a disappointing end to the opener, the Statesmen softball team answered well to garner a split of a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader against Culver-Stockton Tuesday.

William Penn (21-11, 5-3 Heart) dropped the day’s first game 4-3, but claimed the nightcap 8-0 in five innings.

The Statesmen started the scoring in the mid-week twinbill with one run in the top of the third inning as a single by Peyton Naranjo (So., Ripon, Calif., Biology) pushed Ella Pierce (Sr., McClelland, Iowa, Business Management) across home plate.

The navy and gold tacked on two more runs in the fourth with Tori Smith (So., Olympia, Wash., Secondary Education) singling home sister Laila Smith (So., Olympia, Wash., Elementary Education), while Tori Smith later scored on a Wildcat error.

Unfortunately, Culver-Stockton (7-27, 1-9 Heart) closed out strong with two runs in the fifth and two more in the seventh to walk off victorious in the opener.

The visitors were outhit 7-6 with Ella Pierce finishing with two base knocks and a walk. Laila Smith tallied a hit and a walk as well.

Chelsey Huff (Sr., Douds, Iowa, Exercise Science) competed well in the circle, but landed on the losing end of the decision, giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits. She struck out eight Wildcats against one walk.

“Culver-Stockton has been in some really tight league games lately, so despite their record, they are a quality team,” Head Coach Laura North said. “We had some bad luck, while the left side of our infield is injured, and we took them for granted. They came out to win and we did not challenge them we should have. We were complacent with three runs and did not finish.”

William Penn only recorded four hits in the second matchup, but two heavy frames put the squad over the top.

Once again locked in a scoreless tie heading into the top of third, the Statesmen loaded the bases for Laila Pelds (Jr., Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Elementary Education), and she cleared the left field fence for a grand slam.

Lathrop then doubled in Ella Pierce in the fourth, while Madeline Pierce (Sr., McClelland, Iowa, Biology) tagged up and scored on a sacrifice fly by Naranjo to make it 6-0. Laila Smith drove in Lathrop later in the inning on a two-run homer to cap the scoring.

Madie Anderson (Sr., Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Elementary Education), just as she did three days earlier, once again mowed through the competition and was one out away from a perfect game.

The senior unfortunately permitted a double before wrapping up the one-hit shutout with a strikeout in the ensuing at-bat, her fourth of the afternoon.

Laila Smith and Ella Pierce each tallied one hit and one base on balls, while Madeline Pierce drew a pair of walks.

“We learned a good lesson from the first game and the team came back with a vengeance,” North said. “Laila Pelds was a huge leader and spark after hitting into some bad luck in the first contest. She has been crushing the ball, so I was glad to see her finally get rewarded for that. Madie Anderson was again awesome.”

“The Heart is going to be crazy this year,” North added. “Anybody can beat anybody. We have to show up every game and not give any away from here on out.”

Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Friday to host Clarke in a Heart doubleheader at 1 p.m.