WPU Splits with Yellowjackets

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Oskaloosa–Defensive miscues doomed the Statesmen softball team as it was only able to pick up a split in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader against Graceland Friday.

William Penn (13-26, 7-16 Heart) lost the opener 6-0, but bounced back to take the nightcap 3-1.

The visiting Yellowjackets (19-13, 9-12 Heart) outhit WPU 11-5 in the first contest and scored five of their six runs in the last two frames.

Sonia Reddy (So., Tracy, Calif., Exercise Science) topped the hosts with two hits, while Chyanne Koko (Sr., Waianae, Hawaii, Physical Education) notched a double as well.

Katie Springer (Jr., Riverside, Iowa, Undecided) struck out six in 5 2/3 innings. None of the four runs she permitted were earned as the Statesmen committed two costly fielding errors.

The second outing was a big one for Dalaney Bice (So., Woodward, Iowa, Human Services & Psychology). The sophomore was the starting pitcher for William Penn, working around six walks by striking out eight in 5 1/3 frames. She did not allow an earned run.

The victors recorded a 6-3 advantage in hits with Bice managing two of them. She scored her team’s first run of the day in the fourth and then drove in Reddy on a single in the fifth. Roxanna Jensen (Sr., Coto De Caza, Calif., Psychology) also crossed home plate in the fifth.

Springer relieved Bice in the sixth and earned the save by keeping GU off the board with two strikeouts in 1 2/3 perfect innings.

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