The Lady Statesmen (32-16, 20-4 MCC) lost the opener 3-1, but rebounded to take the nightcap 5-0. The split closed the gap between first-place Penn and second-place Grand View in the MCC standings as the Vikings (17-7) are now just three games behind. Both teams have just eight games remaining in the conference slate.

Not only is the conference title on the line, but also a three-game bye in the national-qualifying MCC Tournament on April 29-May 1 in Iowa City. The league champ would only have to win two games to earn the automatic bid to nationals, while the second seed would have to be victorious at least five times to receive the automatic bid.

Penn scored the first run of the twinbill in the third frame when Hailey Dreyer (Jr., Twin Lakes, Wis., Dubuque) singled to score Cassie Holt (Fr., Muskego, Wis., Muskego HS), who opened the inning with a double.

The Lady Statesmen had three hits in that inning, but unfortunately could not extend that momentum any further as they were limited to just four base knocks overall.

The Tigers (17-21, 9-9) tied the game in the fifth and then took the advantage for good in the seventh with two more runs.

Dreyer and Holt were joined by Ashley Stream (Fr., Chariton, Chariton HS) and Kara Atkins (Fr., Burlington, Burlington HS) with one base hit each.

Ashley Johnson (Sr., Burlington, Southeastern CC) was slightly off her game, mostly with regards to control, as she claimed the loss to fall to 10-5. The senior allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits. She also struck out five with three walks.

Johnson gave up the eventual game-winning run in the seventh before being relieved by Hannah Lugar (Fr., Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) with one out. Lugar could not stop the bleeding, however, and allowed a run of her own. In 2/3 inning, the freshman gave up one run (unearned) on two hits.

The nightcap saw a revival of the Penn offense as the hosts jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on an RBI double by Tyanna Helton (Jr., Santa Rosa, Calif., Palomar CC) that scored Stream and an RBI single by Johnson that plated Helton.

The Lady Statesmen pushed the lead to 4-0 in the second on a two-run single by Leah Mork (Jr., DeWitt, North Iowa Area CC) that brought home Stream and Stacie Gaskill (Sr., Lake Mills, Lake Mills HS).

Penn concluded the night's scoring in the fifth when Krystle Carr (Sr., Acton, Calif., Paraclete HS) singled to score Atkins.

Stream was 3-4, while Helton finished 2-4.

The big story of the second game for Penn came from the pitcher's circle, however, as Fligg dominated the Iowa Wesleyan batting order.

In seven innings, the senior did not allow a hit, while striking out ten. Her only blunder was a walk in the fifth. The senior, now 13-6, then allowed the next batter to reach on a fielder's choice, but was able to get out of the jam without any runs coming across.

It is the third no-hitter by a Penn hurler this season as Johnson had two previous performances this spring.

Next: Penn travels to Cedar Rapids Wednesday to face Mount Mercy in an MCC doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m.