(CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa) – The William Penn University Statesmen (12-23, 5-15 Heart) looked to bounce back from two tough losses as they concluded a series with the Mount Mercy Mustangs (20-19-1, 11-10-1) on Friday.

The Statesmen would bounce back in game one by winning by a score of 10-1 but would drop the nightcap 5-3, giving the Mustangs a series win.

WPU 10, MMU 1

The Statesmen bats were hot to begin the day as they were able to crank out 13 hits and produce 10 runs. The scoring got started in the top half of the second inning when Nick Worcester (So., Bloomingdale, Ill., Physical Education) singled on a ball down the left field line scoring Fabio Espinosa (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn., Wellness and Recreation). Seth Reisbeck (Jr., Meridian, Idaho, History/Government) then proceeded to contribute a RBI single of his own scoring pinch-runner Aaron Petrash (Jr., North Miami, Florida, Digital Communication).

The bats wouldn’t stop there as the Statesmen would put up a big 5 run outburst in the top of the fourth. Jared Goodman (Sr., Huntington Beach, Calif., Physical Education) led off the inning by drawing a walk then came around to score on a double to left-center field by Nathan Ball (Jr., Moses Lake, Wash., Psychology). Phillip Berman (Sr., Long Beach, Calif., Education) would cap off the inning by hitting a 2 RBI single scoring Julian Villegas (Sr., Wilmington, Calif. Sociology) and Worcester.

Nick Seipel (Sr., Rosemont, Minn., Software Engineering) started on the mound as was terrific for William Penn tossing 6.2 innings of 3-hit ball while only allowing 1 earned run and striking out 4.

Reisbeck, Berman, Goodman, Ball and Worcester all recorded multi-hit games.

WPU 3, MMU 5

Tanner Hamblin (So., Salem, Utah, Undecided) got the spot start in the closing game of the series for the Statesmen. The sophomore registered 2 innings while allowing 4 earned runs and 4 strikeouts. Austin Neff (Sr., Hanna City, Ill., Psychology) came on in relief and highlighted the pitching performances for WPU going 4 innings while allowing no earned runs, 2 hits, and striking out 3.

The offense tried to mount a comeback but the early five run deficit was too much. Worcester highlighted the offense with a RBI double in third.

MMU outhit the Statesmen 5-4 and edged the visitors in the error column 1-0.

Next Up: William Penn will host Baker in Heart of America action on Tuesday, April 17.