Canton, Mo.–Chyanne Koko (Jr., Waianae, Hawaii, Physical Education) and Tabitha Scott (So., Placentia, Calif., Psychology) were both exceptional on the rubber Sunday as the Statesmen softball team battled to a doubleheader split in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.

WPU (17-18, 5-11 Heart) won the opener 1-0 (9 innings), but dropped the nightcap 1-0.

Koko was not only a dominating figure in the pitching circle, but also landed success at the plate.  After the sides combined for eight scoreless innings, the junior, who finished with two hits, led off the ninth frame with a single.  She was then moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt and eventually scored the game’s only run on a throwing error.

The navy and gold also had chances in the first, fifth, and sixth frames (third base in the sixth), but failed to bring any runners across in those situations.

Koko battled through a few tense moments, stranding runners in scoring position four times.  She struck out six Wildcats and walked two in nine scoreless innings.

The Statesmen finished with a 5-4 edge in hits.

Scott was even better in the second matchup, but was unable to join Koko in the winner’s circle.  After giving up a two-out single in the bottom of the first, the sophomore rolled through the Culver-Stockton (16-14, 10-11 Heart) lineup, retiring 16 straight to get to the seventh inning knotted in another scoreless tie.

WPU held a 4-2 edge in hits and advanced runners into scoring position in three frames, but failed to score.  Brooklyn Bantz (Jr., Smithville, Mo., Psychology and Human Services) topped the visitors with two hits.

Unfortunately, the Statesmen ended up on the negative side of a late score as Katie Kroll closed the twinbill with a lead-off solo home run.

Scott tallied one strikeout in the loss.

Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Tuesday to host Graceland in a Heart doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.

Story provided by Wade Steinlage