West Liberty, W.Va. – After falling by a score of 4-0 in game one, the West Liberty University softball team fought back and put themselves in position to upset MEC North Division leaders, Fairmont State, on Saturday afternoon but fell short as the Falcons closed out the doubleheader sweep by a score of 4-3 in game two. The Falcons struck first in both contests leading 2-0 after the second inning in game one and 4-2 following the second inning of game two. The Hilltoppers cut the deficit to one in the bottom of the fifth in the second game of the doubleheader, however they were unable to complete the comeback as they left a pair of base runners stranded in both the sixth and seventh innings. Prior to the pair of games at the Hilltopper Softball Complex, WLU recognized three seniors within their program as they honored Avery Becker, Kieran Johnson, and Breena Grace.

QUICK DETAILS – GAME 1
Final Score: West Liberty 0, Fairmont State 4
Team Records: West Liberty 16-27 (10-13 MEC), Fairmont State 33-10 (16-5 MEC)
Attendance: 100
Pitching Decision: Win: Delaney Haller (17-3), Loss: Ashlyn Tapman (3-6)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1

• Fairmont State struck first with one run in the top of the first off an RBI single to right center and tacked on another in the top of the second as an error allowed for the runner to cross the plate after stealing third, making it a 2-0 ball game.
• A 2-out double to left center by Kieran Johnson and a single through the left side by Avery Becker gave West Liberty runners at the corners, however a groundout back to the pitcher ended the frame.
• After Ashlyn Tapman and the Hilltopper defense held the Falcons 3-up, 3-down in the top of the fourth, they were able to strike again in the fifth, as they scored a run off a fielder's choice and a single through the left side to make it a 4-0 contest.
• Jaden Conrad knocked a double to right field to leadoff the bottom of the sixth and Sara Simon singled through the left side to give WLU runners at the corners with no outs. After FSU forced a strikeout and a pop up to second base, Simon stole second to make it two runners in scoring position, however the Black & Gold were unable to push a run across the plate as the frame came to a close with a fly out to center field.
• A pair of 2-out singles through the left side and a hit by pitch allowed for Fairmont State to load the bases, but Simon was able to place the tag on a runner between second and third to end the frame on a fielder's choice.
• The Falcons closed out the game one win by sending the Hilltoppers down in order in the bottom of the seventh.

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS – GAME 1
Avery Becker: 2-for-3
Jaden Conrad: 1-for-3, 1 double
Kieran Johnson: 1-for-3, 1 double
Ashlyn Tapman: 7.0 innings pitched, 3 earned runs allowed, 4 strikeouts
 
QUICK DETAILS – GAME 2
Final Score: West Liberty 3, Fairmont State 4
Team Records: West Liberty 16-28 (10-14 MEC), Fairmont State 34-10 (17-5 MEC)
Attendance: 102
Pitching Decision: Win: Alyssa McCormick (9-5), Loss: Kadence Pettit (9-10), Save: Delaney Haller (4)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2

• Fairmont State struck first in game two, plating three runs in the top of the first inning as they scored one run on a single through the right side, one run on a single through the left side, and one run off an error to make it a 3-0 ball game.
• West Liberty was able to respond with their first two runs of the afternoon to cut the deficit to one. Kayla Mancuso and Jaden Conrad drew back-to-back walks to start the inning and an RBI single up the middle by Sara Simon was able to score Mancuso for their first run of the contest. Later in the frame a sacrifice fly out to right field by Mallory Rosnick gave Conrad enough time to tag and score to make it a 3-2 ball game.
• The Falcons notched their final run of the game in the top of the second inning as they scored off an error to push their lead to 4-2.
• In the bottom of the second, Avery Becker hit a leadoff single up the middle and Mancuso knocked a 2-out double down the left field line to put runners on second and third for WLU, however the frame would end on a ground out back to the pitcher.
• Kadence Pettit's first strikeout of the game left a pair of Falcon base runners stranded in scoring position in the top of the third and kept them from extending their advantage.
• WLU went 3-up, 3-down in the bottom of the third and fourth innings, while FSU went down in order in the top of the fourth.
• The Hilltoppers drew within one run in the bottom of the fifth as Shelby Harris singled up the middle to score Mancuso, who reached base on a single up the middle as well, making it a 4-3 contest.
• The Black & Gold left a pair of base runners stranded in both the sixth and seventh innings, including runners who were on second and third in the bottom of the sixth. 

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS – GAME 2
Kayla Mancuso: 2-for-3, 1 double, 1 walk, 2 runs scored
Sara Simon: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base
Shelby Harris: 2-for-4, 1 RBI
Kadence Pettit: 7.0 innings pitched, 2 earned runs allowed, 4 strikeouts
 
UP NEXT
The 2024 home schedule for West Liberty will come to a close on Sunday afternoon as they host Frostburg State at 1 and 3 p.m. in the final two games of the year at the Hilltopper Softball Complex.