Smith Home Run Leads William Penn to Split of Shutouts
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Baker (KS) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
|
William Penn (IA) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | X | 1 | 5 | 0 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Baker (KS) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 3 |
|
William Penn (IA) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
Oskaloosa--On a day where runs came at a premium, the Statesmen softball team took one of two games in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader against Baker Sunday.
WPU (23-17, 7-9 Heart) claimed the opener 1-0, but was stopped in the second contest 3-0.
Pitching reigned supreme in the first outing as the Statesmen held a slight 5-3 advantage in hits.
Both sides produced small threats throughout, but neither scored until the bottom of the sixth inning. Laila Smith (So., Olympia, Wash., Elementary Education) then sent a towering shot over the left field fence for a solo home run. It was one of two base knocks for the sophomore.
Chelsey Huff (Sr., Douds, Iowa, Exercise Science), who recorded her 500th career strikeout on Saturday, took care of BU (20-13, 11-5 Heart) in the seventh to claim the complete game shutout. She struck out eight Wildcats, while surviving three walks.
Unfortunately, despite posting more hits than they had in the opener (6), the navy and gold failed to complete the sweep as Baker finished with nine base knocks.
The visitors scored their first two runs in the first and then managed an insurance tally in the sixth.
Ella Pierce (Sr., McClelland, Iowa, Business Management) led WPU's charge with two hits, while Madie Anderson (Sr., Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Elementary Education) was saddled with the loss. She had a respectable outing, allowing just two earned runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings inside the circle. The senior also posted four strikeouts.
The Statesmen did not get on the scoreboard, despite loading the bases in the third and seventh frames.
"We needed a win like we needed oxygen," Head Coach Laura North said. "It was a great, competitive day, and I am proud of our efforts. We had plenty of chances in the second game, but just could not capitalize. We unfortunately had some bad luck as well. All in all, it was a beautiful day at the softball field today."
Next Up: William Penn travels to Lamoni next Friday to face Graceland in a Heart doubleheader at 1 p.m.
