Penn (2-6) split with Morningside Monday, falling 8-0 (6 innings) and then winning 8-0 (6 innings), before being swept by #12 nationally-ranked Bethel (Ind.) Tuesday 7-4 and 8-0 (6 innings).

Morningside--Game 1

The Lady Statesmen offense was limited to just one hit in the opener against the Mustangs, a single by Tyanna Helton (Jr., Santa Rosa, Calif., Palomar CC) in the bottom of the sixth inning. Helton walked once as well to join Ashley Stream (Fr., Chariton, Chariton HS) as team leaders by reaching base twice. Stream drew two bases on balls in the loss.

Allysa Fligg (Sr., Agency, Nebraska-Omaha) was solid through three innings, keeping Morningside scoreless on just two hits. Unfortunately, the proverbial wheels came off in the fourth frame when the Mustangs put up six runs, including a grand slam (not allowed by Fligg, but three runs credited to her).

The senior (0-1) finished the day by allowing five runs (all earned) on three hits through 3 2/3 innings of work. She struck out four against four walks.

Hannah Lugar (Fr., Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) replaced Fligg and went 2 1/3 innings, giving up three runs (all earned) on five hits. She struck out one batter with no bases on balls.

Morningside--Game 2

With their ace in the circle, the Lady Statesmen reversed their fortunes in the nightcap. Ashley Johnson (Sr., Burlington, Southeastern CC) threw her first no-hitter in a Penn uniform, a shutout gem against the Mustangs to improve her record to 2-1. The senior struck out eight against four walks in the victory.

The Penn offense did more than enough in the first inning alone by scoring three runs, including RBI singles by Helton and Kara Atkins (Fr., Burlington, Burlington HS).

The Lady Statesmen tacked on two more runs in the third courtesy of a two-run double by Hanna Meinecke (So., Jefferson, Jefferson-Scranton HS).

With the game well in hand, Hailey Dreyer (Jr., Twin Lakes, Wis., Dubuque) drove in two more runs with a double in the fifth frame, while Christine Gamble (Fr., Pahrump, Nev., Pahrump Valley HS) brought home the final run in the sixth inning.

Stream (2-2) and Atkins (2-3) led their team at the plate as Penn outhit Morningside 9-0 to snap a four-game losing streak. Five other players had one hit each in the victory. Dreyer and Meinecke topped the squad with two RBIs each, while Stream scored a game-high three runs.

Bethel (Ind.)--Game 1

Penn watched as Bethel jumped out to a 5-0 lead after five innings of action in Tuesday's opener. The Lady Statesmen finally got on board in the sixth when Atkins drove in Andrea Rensberger (So., Sioux City, Sioux City North HS).

The Pilots added two more runs in the bottom half of the inning, important insurance runs because Penn rallied with three runs in the top of the seventh, but it was not enough as the Lady Statesmen dropped the opener.

Stream paced Penn with a 2-3 performance, while four others had one hit apiece. Dreyer and Leah Mork (Jr., DeWitt, North Iowa Area CC) also had one RBI each, while Stream, Gamble, and Mork joined Rensberger by scoring one run apiece.

Fligg had struggles in falling to 0-3 on the campaign. The senior allowed seven runs (all earned) on eight hits. She struck out two against two walks.

Bethel (Ind.)--Game 2

Unlike the day before, the Lady Statesmen were not able to respond in the second game of the double dip as Bethel outhit Penn 11-4 and scored two runs each in the first, second, third, and sixth innings to claim the sweep.

Offensively, Stream, Helton, Mork, and Cassie Holt (Fr., Muskego, Wis., Muskego HS) each tallied one hit apiece.

Lugar claimed the loss to fall to 0-2 on the season. The freshman allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits. She also gave up two bases on balls.

Next: Penn is off on Wednesday, traveling to Panama City, Fla. to compete in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Leadoff Classic. The Lady Statesmen open the Invitational by playing Bethel (Ind.) once again Thursday at 11 a.m. The day concludes with a game against #20 Biola (Calif.) at 1:30 p.m.

All Lady Statesmen spring break games can be followed on the Internet by going to http://www.statesmenathletics.com/liveAudio.php