Wildcats Split Doubleheader with William Penn, Walk Off in Game One
The Culver-Stockton Wildcats continued their season with a doubleheader against the William Penn Statesmen. The Wildcats fought hard in game one, securing their first conference win with a thrilling 4-3 walk-off victory. However, they fell in game two by mercy rule, 8-0, in five innings.
Game 1: Wildcats Earn First Conference Win in Walk-Off Thriller
The Wildcats took the field behind starting pitcher Penny Ruiz, who went two innings, allowing one hit and one earned run. That run came in the second inning when Payton Naranjo hit an RBI single, scoring Ella Pierce. However, Naranjo was thrown out at second on a throw from Kataleena Hunt. Ruiz allowed the hit to Pierce before Sophie Stuart entered in relief and gave up the RBI single to Naranjo.
Stuart pitched the remainder of the game, allowing five hits, two runs (one earned), walking one, and striking out two. William Penn extended its lead to 3-0 in the fourth inning.
Statesmen pitcher Chelsey Huff was dominant early, holding the Wildcats to just one hit through four innings. However, Culver-Stockton broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Kataleena Hunt reached on an error, followed by a Payton Todd RBI double to put the Wildcats on the board. Hunter Huddle then delivered an RBI single, scoring Todd. After a single from Paige Kurfman, the Wildcats ended the inning trailing 3-2.
A quiet sixth inning set up a dramatic bottom of the seventh. Myah Briese led off with a walk, and Kataleena Hunt surprised the defense with a bunt single, advancing pinch runner Courtney Zane. Payton Todd laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving both runners into scoring position. Huddle followed with an RBI single to first base, tying the game at 3-3 with Hunt standing 90 feet away as the winning run.
With two outs, Paige Kurfman was hit by a pitch, bringing Tiffany Lepic to the plate. Kurfman then stole second, eliminating a force-out opportunity. Lepic seized the moment, lining an RBI single to left field, scoring Dant for the walk-off win and giving the Wildcats their first conference victory of the season.
Game 2: William Penn Dominates as Anderson Nearly Throws Perfect Game
The Wildcats started Kaylee Yost in game two, while the Statesmen sent senior Maddie Anderson to the mound. The first two innings were quiet until the third, when William Penn loaded the bases. Laila Pelds then launched a grand slam, putting the Statesmen up 4-0. Ellie Leigh entered in relief and managed to escape the inning without further damage.
Anderson continued her dominance, retiring the Wildcats in order and keeping her perfect game intact. In the fourth, William Penn added to its lead with RBIs from Jessica Lathrop and Naranjo, making it 6-0. Culver-Stockton then brought in Sophie Stuart, but Laila Smith crushed a two-run homer, extending the lead to 8-0 and enforcing the mercy rule.
Anderson maintained her perfect game through 4.2 innings, but Kataleena Hunt played spoiler with a double to center field, ending the bid for both a perfect game and a no-hitter. However, Anderson rebounded by striking out Todd to secure the win.
Anderson improved to 8-3 on the season, allowing just one hit in five innings while striking out four. William Penn ended the doubleheader at 21-11 overall and 5-3 in conference play. They will return home to face Clarke on April 4.
Kaylee Yost took the loss, falling to 2-7. She pitched 2.1 innings, allowing one hit, four earned runs, five walks, and two strikeouts. The Wildcats dropped to 7-27 overall and 1-9 in conference play. They will continue their homestand against Central Methodist on April 5, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. CST.
