MOUNT OLIVE, NC - The West Liberty University softball team lost two games Saturday in North Carolina, The hosts Mount Olive Trojans edged out the Hilltoppers, 4-3, in game one, then Mercyhurst handled the Black and Gold, 8-0 in five innings in game two.

Game 1: West Liberty (3) - Mount Olive (4)
Mount Olive scored early with a pair of home runs in the first inning to go up 2-0. West Liberty was able to get one back in the top of the second. After two quick outs, Ashlyn Tapman and Sydney Johnson walked, then an Anna Welsh single on a full count drove in Tapman for the first Hilltopper run of the game.

The Trojans went right back to work in the bottom of the second scoring two more to build a 4-1 advantage. Each side went quiet offensively through the middle innings. WLU got one runner in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, but nothing more. 

Riley Conkle belted a two-out, two-run home run in the top of the seventh to get the Hilltoppers back within one, but it was too late as the Trojans ended the game on a groundout the next batter.

Grace Swigart went 2-for-3 and Sidney Little reached base twice out of the leadoff spot with a single and walk. West Liberty had six hits in the game.

Tapman recorded a season-best seven strikeouts in the circle over five innings, but was tabbed with the loss. Ryleig Morgan threw the sixth frame scoreless with two strikeouts.

Game 2: West Liberty (0) - Mercyhurst (8) F/5
Mercyhurst scored all eight runs in the first two innings and kept the Hilltopper offense at bay rolling to a run-rule victory.

West Liberty totaled just three hits in the game and had five baserunners. Kayla Mancuso doubled and went 1-for-3 at the plate, while Jaden Conrad (1-2) and Anna Welsh (1-1) picked up singles. Sydney Johnson and Mallory Rosnick earned a walk each.

Madison Angus was dealt the loss on the rubber over 1.2 innings pitched. Sara Simon pitched the final 2.1 innings and did not allow an earned run while striking out one. The Lakers took advantage of a Hilltopper error in the second inning, as all five runs that came across in the frame were unearned. 

Up Next:
West Liberty is back at it Sunday to take on both teams in a reversed schedule. Game one will be against Mercyhurst at 2 pm, followed by a 4 pm matchup with Mount Olive to finish the weekend trip.

Follow West Liberty Softball online all season at HilltopperSports.com and on Twitter (@WLU_Softball & @WLathletics), Instagram (@wlu_softball & @wlu_athletics), and Facebook.