Penn (36-11, 12-6 MCC) lost the first game 2-1, but was able to come from behind to take the nightcap 7-6. The team's winning streak is extinguished at four games.

The visitors scored their lone run of the opener in the third frame on a single by Khyia Lewis (So., Ottumwa, Ottumwa HS) to bring home Ashley Stream (So., Chariton, Chariton HS). Lewis led her team with a 3-for-3 showing, while Molly Miller (Fr., Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) finished the contest 2-for-4.

Unfortunately, the team struggled the remainder of the matchup, leaving seven runners on base and committing two errors.

The Lady Statesmen did outhit the Crusaders 7-5, but allowed runs in the first and fifth innings as Monica Villarreal (Fr., Oceanside, Calif, Carlsbad HS) fell to 17-5 on the year. The freshman gave up two runs (both earned) on five hits, while striking out seven and walking two.

Penn again struggled in the field in the day's second game (four errors), but three strong innings overcame those issues.

After Clarke (14-20, 8-12 MCC) scored the first run in the first frame, the visitors answered with two runs of their own in the second, including an RBI single by Brittany Labbe (Fr., Northridge, Calif., Chaminade HS) to plate Kara Atkins (So., Burlington, Burlington HS).

Following two unanswered runs by the Crusaders, Penn went back ahead with three in the fourth. Lewis started the scoring with a solo home run, her third of 2010, while Leah Mork (Sr., DeWitt, North Iowa Area CC) drove in pinchrunner Cassie Lohman (Fr., Burbank, Calif., Providence HS) on a sacrifice flyout.

Hailey Dreyer (Sr., Twin Lakes, Wis., Dubuque) also rounded the bases, eventually coming home on a wild pitch.

Clarke, motivated by the possibility of sweeping the defending league champions, put three more on the board in the sixth. Penn, however, crushed the Crusaders' dream as Atkins doubled home Lewis and Andrea Rensberger (Jr., Sioux City, Sioux City North HS) to make the score 7-6.

Hannah Lugar (So., Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) then put down the side in order in the bottom half to secure the victory and move to 17-5. She managed the win despite giving up six runs (four earned) on ten hits. The sophomore struck out five and walked a pair.

Lewis posted another very productive outing, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Atkins was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Labbe was also 2-for-3 in the win.

Next: Penn travels to Moline, Ill. Saturday and Sunday to compete in the second MCC Challenge Weekend. The Lady Statesmen face Waldorf Saturday at 11 a.m. and then on Sunday, they meet St. Ambrose at 1:15 p.m. and Mount Mercy at 3:30 p.m.