Softball | 3/7/2013 9:16:00 AM

Box Score LAURINBURG, N.C. – The West Liberty University spotted host St. Andrew's an early 5-run lead here Wednesday before breaking out the heavy artillery and rallying to a 12-5 on a gusty North Carolina diamond.
    Coach Jim Bacca's Hilltoppers (1-2) raked three Lady Knight hurlers for 16 hits with 8 West Liberty batters picking up at least one hit and seven different Hilltoppers driving in a run.
    Almost overshadowed in the light of WLU's offensive production was the stellar relief effort turned in by winning pitcher Sara Emerich.
    After the first two Hilltopper pitchers struggled with their control, giving up 5 runs and failing to get out of the first inning, the West Liberty veteran came on to get the final out of the opening frame and dominated the rest of the way, shutting out the hosts (5-12) on just 2 singles over the final six innings.
    The Hilltoppers got back in the game with 4 runs in the top of the second before tying the contest with a single tally in the fourth inning. They went ahead to stay with 4 runs in the fifth and added a trio of insurance runs in the sixth.
    Maggie Starr had 3 singles and an RBI while Taylor Zeiger chased home 4 runs with a double and a single. Felicia Hulslander and Kalyn Hanby each had 2 singles and 2 RBIs while Leanna McMillen had a double, single and RBI, Janea Cockrell slapped out a pair of singles, Jamee Burke doubled home a run and Emerich helped her own cause with a single and RBI.
    West Liberty will try to build on its momentum Thursday afternoon with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Coker University in Hartsville, S.C.
 
SOFTBALL
West Liberty 12, St. Andrew's (N.C.) 5
West Liberty          040 143 0 – 12 16  0
St. Andrew's          500 000 0 –   5   4  1
    WLU: Johnson (0SO, 4W), Creamer (1) (0SO, 2W), Emerich wp (1) (5SO, 8W) and Burke. Zeiger D, S, 4rbi; Starr 3S, rbi; Hulslander 2S, 2rbi; Hanby 2S, 2rbi; McMillen D, S, rbi; Cockrell 2S; Burke D, rbi; Emerich S, rbi
    StA: Eosso (0SO, 2W), Hill lp (3) (1SO, 0W), Cross (5) (0SO, 2W) and Van Kleek. George 2S; Baird S, 2rbi; Van Kleeck S, 2rbi