Penn (4-2) opened the trip by falling 9-8 to MidAmerica Nazarene before claiming a 10-4 win in the nightcap. It was much of the same in Sunday's double dip as the Statesmen fell 1-0 to Benedictine in the opener, but then dominated the second game 14-5.

MidAmerica Nazarene--Game 1

Penn stormed out to a 5-0 lead after the top of the second inning, but the Pioneers rebounded with three runs in the bottom half of the frame.

The Statesmen tacked on another run in the third, but then gave up three unanswered as the score evened at 6-6 entering the fifth inning.

Richie Hawley (Sr., Palmdale, Calif., Antelope Valley CC) then doubled home a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to put Penn back up 8-6, but the hosts nipped away at the deficit and finally scored the game-winner with just one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to take the opener 9-8.

Both teams had plenty of chances to score even more runs as they combined to leave 25 runners on base (Penn had 12 LOB).

Alex Chavez (Sr., Culver City, Calif., LA Harbor CC) led the way at the plate with a 4-5 performance, including three runs scored and one RBI. Hawley also had success by finishing 3-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

Eddie Sobczak (Jr., University Place, Wash., Skagit Valley CC) was also solid by going 2-4, while Blake Willard (Jr., Tacoma, Wash., Green River CC) crossed home plate twice.

Micah Spencer (Sr., Modesto, Calif., Indiana State) started the contest and went 3 2/3 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits. The senior also struck out four batters against five walks.

Daley Benson (Sr., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Yakima Valley CC) relieved Spencer in the fourth frame and was tagged with the loss. The senior allowed three runs (all earned) on four hits in 2 2/3 innings, striking out six with only one walk.

"We stranded far too many runners in game one against MidAmerica Nazarene," Statesmen Head Coach Mike Laird said. "We did a poor job of situational hitting. It was a very tough strike zone to handle for our pitchers as well. Our pitchers threw much better than their pitch counts suggested."

MidAmerica Nazarene--Game 2

Keith Rizor (Sr., Westminster, Calif., Orange Coast CC) dominated in the nightcap, tossing five scoreless innings to improve to 2-0 on the season. The senior allowed just two hits and struck out a career-high nine against just one walk.

Penn opened strong with one run in the first and three more in the second before being held down in the next three frames. The Statesmen returned to form in the sixth with two more runs to go up 6-0.

Rizor departed before the sixth inning and the Pioneers unfortunately took advantage, scoring four runs against relief pitcher Mark Appel (Jr., Glendale, Ariz., Gateway CC) to narrow the deficit to only two at 6-4.

The Statesmen offense put the game out of reach in the seventh, though, as Hawley hit his second home run of the nightcap, a two-run shot to cap the day's scoring.

Appel settled in and put MidAmerica Nazarene down in order in the seventh to secure the victory. The junior allowed four runs (one earned) on three hits in two innings of work. He struck out two batters as well.

Offensively, Hawley was the hero with a 2-5 showing (two home runs), including four RBIs and three runs scored. Ramon Cabral (Sr., Antioch, Calif., Laney CC) had a team-high three hits with two RBIs, while Chavez was 2-4 with three runs scored and one RBI.

"Keith Rizor threw a great five innings for us and Richie Hawley's two home runs were huge for us," Laird said.

Benedictine--Game 1

The opener against Benedictine was a pitcher's duel as Chris Wedel (Sr., Wasco, Calif., Taft CC) was electric in a complete-game six innings of work. The senior gave up just one run (earned) on four hits, while striking out four batters.

Unfortunately, all of Wedel's work was nullified when the Ravens' Mike Moore homered in the bottom of the fourth and Penn could not come up with an answer.

Cabral was the lone offensive bright spot, going 2-3 with a double, while Grant Grimmett (Jr., Rock Island, Ill., Carl Sandburg CC) had the only other hit for the Statesmen.

"This was a great pitcher's duel," Laird said. "Chris Wedel threw well enough to beat most teams we play."

Benedictine--Game 2

A nine-run fifth inning propelled the Statesmen to the split against Benedictine Sunday.

Trailing 1-0 entering the fifth frame, Penn exploded with nine runs on six hits, including a three-run home run by Sobczak, his first of the year.

Nick Golich (Jr., Aurora, Ill., Waubonsee CC), in just his second start of the year, led the Statesmen at the plate by going 3-3 with two RBIs. Five players also had two hits each, including Chavez, Sobczak, Cabral, Garrett Jenner (Jr., Jamul, Calif., Grossmont CC), and Jaime Ayala (Sr., Modesto, Calif., Modesto CC).

Penn outhit the Ravens 15-6.

Sobczak had a team-best three RBIs, while Cabral and Ayala matched Golich with two RBIs. Sobczak, Grimmett, Steven Schultze (Sr., Simi Valley, Calif., LA Mission CC), and pinchrunner Matt Casey (Sr., Palmdale, Calif., Antelope Valley CC) all scored two runs each in the win.

Tim Waters (Sr., Marysville, Wash., Everett CC) started the game and tossed a solid six innings, allowing just three runs (one earned) on three hits. He struck out four against three walks to move to 1-0 on the campaign.

"Tim Waters threw very well and Eddie Sobczak's home run helped ignite a big rally in the fifth frame," Laird said.

Next: Penn leaves for its spring break trip this weekend and will play doubleheaders against Madonna (Mich.) on March 1 and March 7, Davenport on March 2, Concordia (Mich.) on March 3 and March 5, and Bethel (Tenn.) on March 6.