WPU Finish Roosevelt Tournament with Another Split
Rosemont, Ill.–The William Penn softball team split its final two games of a long weekend as it concluded the NAIA Leadoff Tournament Sunday.
WPU (6-4) fell 8-0 to Madonna (Mich.) in five innings, but bounced back to defeat host Roosevelt 4-1.
The navy and gold, who were only outhit by the Crusaders 6-3, gave up five runs in the third frame and three more in the fourth.
Abby Thompson (Jr., Keokuk, Iowa, Secondary Education) was solid in two innings of relief, permitting just one run (earned) on one hit. She struck out one batter and walked two.
“This was the first time this season that we did not come out and compete,” Head Coach Laura North said. “Madonna is a good team, but we did not show up. It is an opportunity to learn about the mental side of the game and being consistent and disciplined.”
The WPU offense came alive in the weekend finale against the Lakers, including a timely hit that served as the difference on the scoreboard.
After three scoreless frames, the Statesmen put up all four of their runs in the top of the fourth. Brianna Talamantes (Jr., San Pedro, Calif., Secondary Education) led off with a single, while her pinchrunner Bailee Rinn (So., Omaha, Neb., Biology) moved to second on a sacrifice by Chelsey Huff (Jr., Douds, Iowa, Exercise Science). Following a walk drawn by Ella Pierce (Jr., McClelland, Iowa, Business Management) that loaded the pads, Crystal Warren (Fr., Las Vegas, Nev., Secondary Education) also collected a base on balls to drive in Rinn.
Allyson Stewart (Sr., Delta, B.C., Nursing) then recorded the biggest base knock of the contest, driving a triple into the left-center gap that cleared the bases and lifted WPU to a 4-0 advantage.
RU answered with its lone run in the fifth, but Huff entered in that frame and shut the Lakers down.
William Penn, which outhit Roosevelt 9-5, was led by Talamantes and Stewart with two hits each. Crystal Warren and Ella Pierce both managed a hit and a walk as well.
Starting pitcher Tori Smith (Fr., Olympia, Wash., Secondary Education) earned the victory, allowing just one run (earned) on two hits in 4 1/3 frames. She struck out one and walked one. Huff’s 2 2/3 innings out of the bullpen consisted of four strikeouts against three scattered hits.
“Our bounce back was excellent,” North said. “We came out a different team than the previous game. Tori Smith and Chelsey Huff were a wicked combination for their hitters, and our batters were more aggressive. Allyson Stewart’s bases-clearing triple was timely as well–something we have been missing.”
“I am super proud of our team,” North added. “The competition was tough this weekend and coming away with a 4-2 record is huge.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to St. Ambrose Saturday to face Mount Marty (S.D.) at 8:30 a.m. and Saint Xavier at 1 p.m.
