INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Liberty University softball team couldn't solve West Virginia State pitching here Tuesday afternoon in losing a West Virginia Conference doubleheader by scores of 5-0 and 7-1 at Lady Jacket Field.

The Hilltoppers (7-19, 0-4) never got a runner past second base in the opener as the Yellowjackets (16-5, 2-2) rode the strong right arm of Kelsey Lorraine to victory. Lorraine had 11 strikeouts and two walks while scattering five singles in a route-going performance.

Maggie Starr and Leanna McMillen each had a pair of singles but the hosts broke open a scoreless tie with three unearned runs – all with two outs – in the bottom of the third and that was all the support Lorraine needed.

The loss spoiled a solid effort in the circle by the West Liberty duo of Paige Creamer and Angela Johnson, who combined to hold State to just four hits in a losing cause.

The Yellowjackets wasted little time taking command of the second game, scoring twice in the bottom of the first and putting the decision on ice with a five-run uprising in the bottom of the third.

State's Sara Pelegreen went the distance for the win, giving up just four hits to the Hilltoppers. McMillen's RBI double in the top of the fourth averted the shutout for the Black and Gold.

West Liberty returns home to host Shepherd on Saturday in a noon doubleheader.

SOFTBALL

W.Va. State 5, West Liberty 0

West Liberty 000 000 0 – 0  5  1

W.Va. State 003 020 x – 5  4  0

WLU: Creamer lp (1SO, 2W), Johnson (1SO, 1W) and Burke. Starr 2S; McMillen 2S

WVS: Lorraine wp (11SO, 2W) and Ramey. Best D, 2rbi; Loftis S, rbi

W.Va. State 7, West Liberty 1

West Liberty 000 100 0 – 1    4  2

W.Va. State 205 000 x – 7  11  2

WLU: Emerich lp (4SO, 2W) and Burke. McMillen D, rbi

WVS: Pelegreen wp (9SO, 1W) and Schoolcraft. Griffith T, 3S, 3rbi; Loftis 2S; Kaplan S, 2rbi; Best S, rbi; Crawford S, rbi