William Penn Upended Twice by Central Methodist

Fayette, Mo.--The Statesmen softball team failed to keep pace with No. 9 Central Methodist as it was swept in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday.

WPU (22-16, 6-8 Heart) fell by scores of 5-1 and 11-0 (5 innings).

The visitors outhit CMU 5-4 in the first contest, but one swing of the bat was the difference as a grand slam highlighted a five-run fourth inning for the Eagles.

The navy and gold tallied their lone run in the sixth as Maci Rutledge (Fr., Chadron, Neb., Nursing), who was pinchrunning for Chelsey Huff (Sr., Douds, Iowa, Exercise Science), scored on an error (the only one of the game) by the hosts.

Five separate Statesmen recorded a base knock in the opener, while Laila Smith (So., Olympia, Wash., Elementary Education) drew a walk as well.

Huff, who had one of WPU's five hits, was solid outside of a tough fourth frame.  The senior struck out six against three walks.  Emily Bryant (Sr., University Place, Wash., Nursing) also managed two strikeouts as she worked the sixth inning.

The nightcap was a one-sided affair with Central Methodist scoring at least two runs in each of its four offensive innings.

The Statesmen lost the hits battle 14-5 with Laila Smith again posting one hit and one walk.

Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Sunday to host Baker in a Heart doubleheader at 1 p.m.