Weirton, W.Va. – The West Liberty University softball ended the weekend with a 4-0 mark in games played at Weir High School, as they followed yesterday's MEC sweep with a non-conference sweep of Salem by scores of 5-2 and 7-1 on Sunday afternoon. After falling behind 2-0 in game one, the Hilltoppers scored the final five runs of the contest, including four runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead for good. In game two WLU scored in each of the first four innings to propel themselves to their fourth consecutive win.

QUICK DETAILS – GAME 1
Final Score: West Liberty 5, Salem 2
Team Records: West Liberty 6-13 (2-0 MEC), Salem 6-9
Attendance: 62
Pitching Decision: Win: Ashlyn Tapman (1-2), Loss: Kendall Lemley (2-3), Save: Brooke Perri (1)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1

• Salem got the scoring started in game one as they scored one run on a double to center field and another on a single, as they took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.
• After three consecutive 3-up, 3-down innings to start the game, the first hit for West Liberty came in the bottom of the fourth with Kayla Mancuso hitting a leadoff single to center field. She would cross home plate to cut the deficit to 2-1 as Sara Simon recorded a double.
• The Hilltoppers took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning as a single to left field by Avery Becker scored Shelby Harris and Olivia Munoz. Later in the inning Sydney Johnson knocked a triple into the outfield to score Becker and Carlee Leidy to give WLU the 5-2 advantage.

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS – GAME 1
Sydney Johnson: 1-for-2, 1 triple, 2 RBI
Sara Simon: 1-for-3, 1 double, 1 RBI
Olivia Munoz: 1-for-3, 1 double, 1 run scored
Brooke Perri: 3.0 innings pitched, 3 hits allowed, 0 runs allowed, 2 strikeouts
 
QUICK DETAILS – GAME 2
Final Score: West Liberty 7, Salem 1
Team Records: West Liberty 7-13 (2-0 MEC), Salem 6-10
Attendance: 62
Pitching Decision: Win: Leah Alford (1-2), Loss: Andrea Gallegos (2-3)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2

• After forcing Salem to leave the bases loaded in the top of the first, West Liberty struck first in game two as a sacrifice bunt by Sara Simon allowed Kayla Mancuso to cross the plate after she hit a leadoff single to center field.
• The Tigers evened the game at one apiece in the top of the second as a single to center field drove in their lone run of the contest.
• The Hilltoppers regained the lead with three runs in the bottom of the second. A double by Sydney Johson brought home Caroline Woody and Carlee Leidy, then in the next at-bat Simon singled to the shortstop to score Johnson and give WLU the 4-1 lead.
• The Black & Gold added one run in the bottom of the third as Breena Grace singled to score Jaden Conrad who opened the frame with a leadoff single to right field.
• West Liberty ended the scoring with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth as Mallory Rosnick reached base safely on an error and Mancuso scored on the play. Also reaching on an error the ensuing at-bat was Jaden Conrad, while Rosnick scored to make it 7-1.

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS – GAME 2
Sydney Johnson: 2-for-4, 1 double, 2 RBI, 1 run scored
Jaden Conrad: 2-for-3, 1 run scored, 1 stolen base
Breena Grace: 2-for-3, 1 double, 1 RBI
Leah Alford: 7.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs allowed, 4 strikeouts
 
UP NEXT
West Liberty will return to Mountain East Conference action on Wednesday, March 20, as they are set to host Wheeling. The Hilltoppers and Cardinals are slated for a 3 and 5 p.m. first pitch at the Hilltopper Softball Complex.