The Lady Statesmen (21-13, 11-1 MCC), who won by scores of 8-2 and 11-0 (5 innings), had 23 hits total, including five multiple-base knocks. Penn is now riding a season-high seven-game winning streak.

The visitors flew out of the gate with two quick runs in the top of the first of the opener as Tyanna Helton (Jr., Santa Rosa, Calif., Palomar CC) hit her team-leading fifth home run of the year, a two-run shot that also scored Leah Mork (Jr., DeWitt, North Iowa Area CC).

Ashley Johnson (Sr., Burlington, Southeastern CC), who had the night off from pitching, was strong at the plate instead as she highlighted a three-run third frame with a two-run single, while Krystle Carr (Sr., Acton, Calif., Paraclete HS) added an RBI double in the third as well.

Helton added two more RBIs on a single in the fourth, while Mork concluded Penn's scoring in the fifth by driving in a run with a bases-loaded hit by pitch.

Helton topped the offense by going 2-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Carr, Kara Atkins (Fr., Burlington, Burlington HS), and Hailey Dreyer (Jr., Twin Lakes, Wis., Dubuque) were also 2-4, while Mork scored two runs. Johnson tallied two RBIs in the win.

Eight of the nine Penn batters that came to the plate had at least one hit.

All of that offense was more than enough for Hannah Lugar (Fr., Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) as she moved to 4-4 on the season. The freshman allowed just two runs (one earned) on six hits. She struck out three with no walks.

The Lady Statesmen fortunately did not cool off in the nightcap as they jumped out ahead with three runs in the second inning. Christine Gamble (Fr., Pahrump, Nev., Pahrump Valley HS) highlighted the frame with a two-run double, while Dreyer also had a run-scoring single.

Penn blew the game wide open in the third inning as six players crossed home plate. Mork led off the frame with a solo home run, her first of the year, while Carr then had an RBI single and Dreyer walked in a run. Ashley Stream (Fr., Chariton, Chariton HS) added a two-run single and Mork finished the frame with another RBI via a single.

The visitors concluded the night's scoring in the fifth as Stream scored on an errant throw and Atkins singled home Mork.

Mork paced Penn at the plate by finishing 2-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Stream (two RBIs) and Johnson (two runs scored) were both 2-4, while Gamble and Dreyer both drove in a pair of runs each. Devin Bennett (Jr., Overland Park, Kan., Iowa Lakes CC) also scored twice in the victory.

Identical to the evening's first game, eight of the nine Penn batters that came to the plate had at least one hit.

Again the offense was somewhat wasted as the team's pitcher was near perfect in the circle. Allysa Fligg (Sr., Agency, Nebraska-Omaha) earned her third shutout of the season by limiting the Tigers (10-16, 6-6 MCC) to just three hits. The senior, who is now 9-5 on the year, struck out eight and walked just one.

Next: Penn travels to Des Moines Wednesday to face Grand View in a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.