OSKALOOSA — Some fields you never forget. For Laura North, the head coach of the William Penn softball team, Penn Field will always hold a special place in her heart—even if she won't miss the early morning maintenance.
The Statesmen gave their home diamond a fitting farewell with two unforgettable games that showcased the team's never-say-die spirit. In their final home doubleheader of the season, William Penn staged five comebacks across two games against Heart of America Athletic Conference rival Mount Mercy.
Game one set the tone when Laila Smith launched a two-run walk-off home run in the seventh inning to seal a 4-3 victory. But the nightcap was pure drama: the Statesmen trailed in the final inning four times, tying the game in the seventh, ninth, and tenth innings before finally pushing across the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th for a wild 13-12 win.
"This is what our team has done all season," North said. "We kind of tease them by calling them the cardiac kids. They just seem to play better when we're coming from behind because they're so stubborn. It's a challenge, but they never give up."
The emotional day also honored three seniors—Bailee Rinn, Elsye Rios, and Kya Butler—and marked the end of an era for Penn Field, which has been the Statesmen's home since the 1980s. Next season, William Penn moves to a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility with field turf at the Lacey Sports Complex, right next to the baseball diamond that opened just two years ago.
While the new field promises modern amenities, North admits the old one required plenty of sweat equity. "It's a lot of work to keep this field up. I was getting it ready for games at 6:30 a.m., and because of rain, I was there until 8 p.m. I'm not going to miss those days," she said with a smile.
The Statesmen closed the season with a 27-21 record and a trip to the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament, where they fell to Benedictine and Baker. But with a core of rising seniors—including Laila Gutierrez, Marin Frazee, and Laila Smith, who all delivered clutch hits in that final doubleheader—the future looks bright.
"It's exciting to have a new home," North added. "We've made a lot of growth as a program." As William Penn turns the page on Penn Field, the memories of those thrilling comeback wins will carry the Statesmen into a promising new chapter.