Buckhannon, W.Va. – The West Liberty softball team secured their second MEC sweep of the season on Sunday afternoon as they went on the road and took two from West Virginia Wesleyan, snapping a 5-game losing streak to the Bobcats with wins of 2-1 and 4-2 in nine innings. In game one the Hilltoppers and Bobcats each scored early in the contest, and WLU pitcher Ashlyn Tapman closed out the game in complete control as she struck out four WVWC batters in the final two innings. In game two the back-and-forth affair resulted in West Liberty's first extra inning win of the season in their third attempt as a 2-RBI double by Shelby Harris lifted the Hilltoppers past the Bobcats for the second time on the day.

QUICK DETAILS – GAME 1
Final Score: West Liberty 2, West Virginia Wesleyan 1
Team Records: West Liberty 14-25 (8-11 MEC), West Virginia Wesleyan 13-23 (4-15 MEC)
Pitching Decision: Win: Ashlyn Tapman (2-5), Loss: Kendall Stoffel (8-9)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1

• After neither team was able to connect on a hit in the first inning, Mallory Rosnick and Isabella Caruso each tallied a single in the top of the second, however they both were left stranded. West Virginia Wesleyan took advantage and was able to strike first in the bottom half of the frame as the Bobcats hit a double down the left field line to make it a 1-0 ball game. WVWC then had runners on second and third with one out, but a strikeout by Ashlyn Tapman and a ground out to Rosnick at third base ended the frame without any more damage.
• The Hilltoppers had an immediate response as they scored both of their two runs in the top of the third to take the lead. Kayla Mancuso started the inning with a leadoff single down the left field line, followed by a single from Jaden Conrad through the right side to put runners on the corners. While Conrad stole second base, it allowed Mancuso to advance home and score. Conrad then crossed the plate on an RBI single up the middle by Sara Simon.
• The Bobcats looked to answer in the bottom of the third with two runners on, but another strikeout by Tapman ended the scoring threat and left WLU with a 2-1 advantage.
• Tapman and the West Liberty defense sent West Virginia Wesleyan down in order in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings.
• The Black & Gold had opportunities to extend their lead in the top of the fifth and sixth innings, however they left the bases loaded in the fifth and runners on second and third in the sixth.
• WVWC had a base runner in both the sixth and seventh innings, but Tapman cut their comeback attempts short as she combined to strike out four during the two inning stretch and secure the win for West Liberty.

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS – GAME 1
Isabella Caruso: 3-for-3
Kayla Mancuso: 2-for-4, 1 run scored
Shelby Harris: 2-for-4
Ashlyn Tapman: 7.0 innings pitched, 5 hits allowed, 1 earned run allowed, 7 strikeouts
 
QUICK DETAILS – GAME 2
Final Score: West Liberty 4, West Virginia Wesleyan 2 (9 Innings)
Team Records: West Liberty 15-25 (9-11 MEC), West Virginia Wesleyan 13-24 (4-16 MEC)
Pitching Decision: Win: Kadence Pettit (9-9), Loss: Kelsi Brown (0-1)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2

• West Liberty struck first in the top of the first inning, with the frame starting off with Kayla Mancuso hitting a leadoff single back up the middle to the pitcher. She stole second during the ensuing at-bat and moved over to third on a single through the left side by Sara Simon. As Simon stole second, it allowed Mancuso to cross the plate and make it a 1-0 ball game.
• The Hilltoppers got out of a jam in the bottom of the first as West Virginia Wesleyan loaded the bases with only one out, however a lineout to Shelby Harris at first and a ground out to Mallory Rosnick at third ended the scoring threat and kept WLU in front.
• After back-to-back singles to begin the bottom of the fourth, WVWC was able to tie the game at one apiece as a run crossed the plate on an error.
• For five consecutive innings from the second through the sixth, the Bobcats forced the Hilltoppers to go 3-up, 3-down at the plate, until they finally broke through and regained the lead in the top of the seventh as Simon scored on a passed ball following a leadoff double to left center on the first pitch of the at-bat.
• West Virginia Wesleyan was able to even the game once again, this time forcing extra innings as they scored one run on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at two. Kadence Pettit and the Hilltopper defense forced the Bobcats to leave runners stranded on second and third as they got out of the inning with a pop up to Simon at shortstop and a strikeout swinging.
• Both teams went 3-up, 3-down in the eighth inning before West Liberty grabbed the lead in the top of the ninth. Mancuso hit a leadoff single up the middle and Jaden Conrad reached first safely on an error, giving WLU a pair of base runners with no outs. Mancuso and Conrad advanced to second and third on a sacrifice bunt by Simon, and they both crossed the plate on a double to deep left field by Harris to make it a 4-2 game.
• Following a leadoff double for West Virginia Wesleyan in the bottom of the ninth, the Hilltoppers recorded three consecutive outs to secure the doubleheader sweep.

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS – GAME 2
Kayla Mancuso: 2-for-4, 2 runs scored, 1 stolen base
Sara Simon: 2-for-3, 1 double, 1 runs scored, 1 stolen base
Shelby Harris: 1-for-3, 1 double, 2 RBI
Kadence Pettit: 9.0 innings pitched, 1 earned run allowed, 5 strikeouts
 
UP NEXT
West Liberty will face Wheeling on Wednesday, April 17, as they return to action against MEC North Division competition to round out the league schedule in the upcoming weeks. The Hilltoppers and Cardinals are slated for a 3 and 5 p.m. first pitch at the JB Chambers I-470 Complex in Wheeling.