WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University softball team couldn't get its bats going Wednesday afternoon, dropping both ends of a doubleheader to West Virginia State by identical 4-0 scores at the WLU Softball Complex.

The opener featured a pitcher's duel between State's Shayla Owens and the Hiltoppers' Sara Emerich with each hurler carrying a 3-hit shutout into the seventh inning.

Unfortunately for Coach Jim Bacca's hosts, the Yellowjackets (22-7, 5-1) exploded for four runs on five hits in the top of the seventh to walk away with the win. Maggie Starr had two of West Liberty's three hits off Owens.

State scored three runs in the third inning of the second game and that turned out to be more than enough as the hard-luck Hilltoppers (7-22, 2-2).

West Liberty pounded out seven hits but couldn't break the scoring ice, stranding runners in scoring position in four separate innings and having one baserunner cut down at the plate.

Jennifer Young and Irene Fadul each had a pair of singles for the Hilltoppers, who hit the road on Saturday for a noon twinbill at Shepherd.

SOFTBALL

W.Va. State 4, West Liberty 0

W.Va. State 000 000 4 – 4  8  0

West Liberty 000 000 0 – 0  3  1

WVS: Owens wp (10SO, 1W) and Ramey. Hilton D, 2rbi; Weyant 2S, rbi

WL: Emerich lp (1SO, 2W) and Sumner. Starr 2S

W.Va. State 4, West Liberty 0

W.Va. State 003 010 0 – 4  8  0

West Liberty 000 000 0 – 0  7  1

WVS: Pelegreen wp (3SO, 1W) and Ramey. Hyatt 2D, rbi; Sturms 2D, rbi

WL: Fortuna lp (2SO, 0W), Slenski (7) (0SO, 0W) and Burke. Young 2S; Fadul 2S