#21 Penn (40-17), the top seed in the tournament, needed to win just once Thursday and then win once more on Friday to advance to nationals, but the second-seeded Warriors had other plans as they now are just one win away from the automatic bid.

The loss moves the Lady Statesmen to the loser's bracket where they will now have to win three in a row Friday, including the opener against #4 seed Mount Mercy at 11 a.m.

If Penn defeats Mount Mercy, it will then face Waldorf at 1:30 p.m. A Penn victory over Waldorf will then result in a winner-take-all championship game at 4 p.m.

All of Penn's MCC Tournament games will be broadcast on the William Penn Athletics website at http://www.statesmenathletics.com/liveAudio.php

Both Penn and Waldorf had ample opportunities to score early in the game, but neither could actually put a run across until the bottom of the fourth. The Lady Statesmen made it 1-0 at that point on an error by the Warriors that allowed Ashley Johnson (Sr., Burlington, Southeastern CC) to score all the way from second base.

Waldorf (31-11) responded immediately with a run of its own in the top of the fifth.

Neither squad scored in the final two-plus innings to force extra frames.

Penn had runners on base in the eighth and tenth innings, but nothing came of either opportunity, while the Warriors had just one batter reach base in the first four extra frames.

Unfortunately, the Waldorf offense came alive in the 12th as two different players hit two-run home runs and the Lady Statesmen had no answer in the bottom of the 12th to snap their nine-game winning streak.

A total of 18 runners were left on base during the marathon event, including eight by Penn.

Johnson and Ashley Stream (Fr., Chariton, Chariton HS) provided most of Penn's eight-hit offensive attack as each finished 3-5. Leah Mork (Jr., DeWitt, North Iowa Area CC) and Caitlyn Ratcliffe (Jr., Kent, Wash., Highline CC), in a pinch-hitting role, also had a base knock apiece.

Allysa Fligg (Sr., Agency, Nebraska-Omaha) started the game for the top-seeded Lady Statesmen, but struggled with control and was relieved in the fifth inning after giving up the tying run. The senior, who did not figure into the decision, allowed one run (earned) on three hits. She struck out four with four walks.

Johnson took over for Fligg in the fifth and pitched outstanding through 6 2/3 innings, including putting the Warriors down in order in the seventh, eighth, ninth, and 11th innings. Unfortunately, she struggled in the 12th and gave up the two home runs. Johnson, who falls to 13-6 on the season, allowed four runs (all earned) on seven hits in seven innings of work. She struck out six with two walks.

Hannah Lugar (Fr., Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) closed the game for Penn by getting the final two outs in order.