Penn (33-10) has started another winning streak (2) and has won 12 of its last 13 and 19 of its last 22 games.

The day's first run was scored in the opening frame as Molly Miller (Fr., Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) came home from second base on an error by the Bruins' third baseman.

Both Lady Statesmen pitcher Monica Villarreal (Fr., Oceanside, Calif, Carlsbad HS) and Bellevue hurler Alissa Crumley, who is a transfer from Penn, threw very well the remainder of the game, giving up just nine total hits (seven by Penn).

Despite allowing just one baseknock in the first six innings, the game was still in jeopardy entering the top of the seventh. Then, with one out, Bellevue's Nikki Sedlak changed the entire complexion of the game with a solo home run to knot the contest at 1-1. It was an unearned roundtripper, though, as earlier in the at-bat Lorah dropped a pop fly in foul territory to keep Sedlak at the plate.

The Lady Statesmen then recorded back-to-back errors, but Villarreal was able to get out of trouble with the game still tied.

Fortunately, Penn responded in the bottom half as Ashley Stream (So., Chariton, Chariton HS) led off with a double. Tyanna Helton (Sr., Santa Rosa, Calif., Palomar CC) then reached on a walk two batters later and Lorah closed out the victory by clearing the fence with a three-run shot. The home run is her fifth of the year.

Lorah led the way with a 2-for-4 showing, while Andrea Rensberger (Jr., Sioux City, Sioux City North HS) was 2-for-2 at the dish.

Villarreal improved to 16-4 with the win, giving up just one run (unearned) on two hits. She struck out seven with one base on balls.

The nightcap again witnessed Penn pulling out to an early lead. This time, however, the home team held it.

The Lady Statesmen outhit the Bruins 4-3, including a single by Stream in the first inning. She advanced on an error and finally scored on a bases-loaded walk by Kara Atkins (So., Burlington, Burlington HS) to make it 1-0.

The advantage extended to four runs in the third frame when Khyia Lewis (So., Ottumwa, Ottumwa HS) doubled home Miller and Atkins matched her with another double, scoring Helton and Lewis. Atkins finished 1-for-2 with three RBIs.

Hannah Lugar (So., Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) was in control throughout and secured the sweep with a six-strikeout shutout to move to 15-5 this season.

Next: Penn stays in Oskaloosa Sunday to host Iowa Wesleyan in an MCC doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. It is the team's regular season home finale.