WPU Splits with Rival Grand View
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen (11-13, 5-3 Heart) hosted their rivals, the 16th ranked Grand View Vikings (13-3, 3-1 Heart), in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader on Thursday.
The Statesmen came into the matchup fresh off of a sweep over Peru State and riding a three game winning streak.
GVU 4, WPU 0
The Statesmen bats were neutralized in game one as they were only able to muster three hits across the seven innings of play. Roxanna Jensen (SR/Coto de Caza, Calif.) had two of those hits for the Statesmen finishing the game 2-3. Sonia Reddy (SO/Tracy, Calif.) also added a hit as she doubled in the bottom of sixth inning.
The visitors outhit the Statesmen 10-3.
The game was a pitchers duel until the Vikings put up three runs on four hits in the top of the fifth inning. Jillian Calabrese (FR/Anthem, Ariz.) started the game in the circle for the Statesmen going 4.1 innings while giving up 4 earned runs on 7 hits. Shelby Copley (JR/Denver, Colo.) came out of the bullpen tossing 2.2 scoreless innings.
WPU 5, GVU 2
Katie Springer (JR/Riverside, Iowa) continued her strong start to the season for the Statesmen in game two as she was able to keep the Vikings bats off-balance. The junior went the distance while only allowing two runs and striking out three. The only real trouble coming in the top of the sixth inning as the Vikings would push two runs across on a two-run home-run.
The Statesmen got on the board early, scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning. Delaney Bice got things going as she hit a one out single into right field, followed by a single by Chyanne Koko (SR/Waianae, Hawaii). With two outs in the inning, Roxanna Jensen came to the plate and delivering a single which scored Bice.
The big inning for the offense came in the fifth for the Statesmen as they were able to score three runs on four hits. Savannah Fleming (JR/Gooding, Idaho) led off the inning with a single but was later erased on a fielders choice hit by Sonia Reddy. Bice then hit a single putting runners at first and second base. Koko proceeded to double to deep left field bringing in two runs for the Statesmen. Koko would later come in to score on wild-pitch.
Four Statesmen had multi-hit efforts as Koko and Bice each finished 2-3, while Jensen finished 2-2 with 2 RBI. Tess Cheetham (JR/Oceanside, Calif.) also finished 2-2 with a double.
William Penn has now won four out of its last five games.
Next Up: WPU will head to Aitchison, Kansas to take on Benedictine in conference play on Saturday, March 24th, starting at 2 p.m.
