Madueno’s Gem Leads WPU to Split with #22 Central Methodist

Oskaloosa--The Statesmen baseball team was excellent in its first outing Saturday, but could not replicate that performance in the second contest as it split its Heart of America Athletic Conference-opening doubleheader with #22 Central Methodist.

WPU (9-8, 1-1 Heart) won the opener 8-1, but dropped the nightcap 13-1.

The Statesmen jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Hector Dominguez (So., Fontana, Calif., Exercise Science) doubled in Nick George (Sr., Sarina, Ontario, Sociology).  Justin Martinez (Sr., Bronx, N.Y., Sports Management) doubled the advantage with a second-inning single that plated Zach Otten (Jr., Mapleton, Ill.).

The hosts then took advantage of errors (three total) by Central Methodist (16-4, 5-1 Heart).  Two players scored on an Eagle mistake, while Froymer Ortega (Jr., Tallahassee, Fla., Wellness and Recreation) posted a two-bagger that brought in Nathan Jessell (Jr., Napa, Calif., Sociology).

Two more insurance runs were recorded in the sixth as Andres Pineda (So., Colombia, Business Management) touched home plate on a single by George.  Another error by the visitors allowed Blair Speas (Jr., O'Fallon, Mo., New Media) to also score later in the frame.

Abel Madueno (Jr., San Bernardino, Calif., Business Management) made sure that the navy and gold runs were not wasted.  The junior nearly produced a complete game, going 6 2/3 innings and permitting just one run on three hits.  A dozen CMU batters were sent to the bench via strikeouts, while three drew walks.

Dominguez and George both posted three-hit showings (George also walked once), while Jessell managed two hits.  Joel Holguin (Jr., San Bernardino, Calif., Sociology) got on base twice as well with one base knock and one walk.

Unfortunately, the Statesmen had few positives in the second contest, including being outhit 13-6.  Down just 2-0 after four frames, William Penn saw the game get out of hand as Central Methodist scored nine runs over the next two innings.

A Dominguez single brought in George in the sixth for WPU's lone run.  George and Ortega each notched two base knocks in the loss.

Four hurlers were employed in the nightcap.

"Today was a tale of two games," Head Coach Mike Laird said.  "Abel Madueno was dominant again on the mound in the opener, we played solid defense, and had a very good game at the plate.  Unfortunately, our second game was a different story after Brian Thomas left with an injury.  Some mixed play in the field, coupled with ineffective relief pitching, was our downfall.  We will rebound tomorrow."

Next Up: William Penn remains in Oskaloosa Sunday to again host Central Methodist in a Heart doubleheader at 1 and 3:30 p.m.