WPU Ends Losing Streak in C-SC Doubleheader Split
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen baseball team returned to the win column in the opener before struggling to find offense in the nightcap as it split a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader with Culver-Stockton Thursday.
William Penn (10-15, 2-8 Heart) commenced its four-game series by winning the first game 8-5 and dropping the second contest 4-0. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak.
The hosts outhit the Wildcats 9-6 in the opener, but had to overcome three fielding errors (one by C-SC).
With Zach Otten (Jr., Mapleton, Ill.) and Marco Ayala (So., San Francisco, Calif., New Media) on base, Nathan Jessell (Jr., Napa, Calif., Sociology) singled to right field in the second inning. The single did not plate the two runners, but an error by the Culver-Stockton fielder did as the hosts claimed a 2-0 edge. Jessell then scored to make it 3-0.
Joel Holguin (Jr., San Bernardino, Calif., Sociology) came home in the fifth, while Ayala produced an RBI single as well.
The navy and gold added three more insurance runs in the sixth, beginning with a sacrifice fly by Nick George (Sr., Sarina, Ontario, Sociology). Hector Dominguez (So., Fontana, Calif., Exercise Science) then doubled home Holguin before scoring himself on a one-bagger by Froymer Ortega (Jr., Tallahassee, Fla., Wellness and Recreation).
The extra runs seemed superfluous at the time, but they were in fact much needed as the Wildcats (8-17-1, 5-5 Heart) stormed back with five tallies in their final at-bats in the seventh to make the game appear closer than it actually was.
Abel Madueno (Jr., San Bernardino, Calif., Business Management) was outstanding in six innings as William Penn’s starter. The junior allowed just two hits in the six scoreless frames, while striking out eight and walking three.
Offensively, Holguin and Ayala each recorded two hits; Holguin also drew a base on balls. Dominguez and Ortega both managed one hit and one walk, while Otten earned a pair of walks.
C-SC’s five-run seventh may have built more momentum than anyone could have imagined. From that moment, the sides completely switched roles in a nightcap that witnessed the visitors post a 9-1 advantage in hits.
Culver-Stockton scored one run in the second frame and added three more in the fourth. Conversely, the Statesmen unfortunately did not record their first and only base knock until there were two outs in the bottom of the seventh.
Next Up: William Penn remains in Oskaloosa Saturday to again host Culver-Stockton in another Heart doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
