West Liberty, W.Va. – The West Liberty University softball team closed out the 2024 home slate with a split against Frostburg State, one of three MEC schools under consideration in the NCAA's initial regional rankings, as they dropped Sunday's opener 5-1 before a 6-5 upset victory in game two. The Hilltoppers pushed the Bobcats to the brink in game one as it remained a 1-1 ball game until FSU scored two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings. In game two, WLU and FSU traded 4-run innings in the first and second frames respectively before the Black & Gold took the lead for good on a 2-out 2-RBI single by Carlee Leidy in the bottom of the fifth. The Hilltoppers then held off a late Frostburg State rally in the top of the seventh as Avery Becker threw out the tying run on a throw from right field to Breena Grace behind the plate.

QUICK DETAILS – GAME 1
Final Score: West Liberty 1, Frostburg State 5
Team Records: West Liberty 16-29 (10-15 MEC), Frostburg State 26-16 (17-6 MEC)
Attendance: 115
Pitching Decision: Win: Katie Chapple (5-4), Loss: Madison Angus (1-10)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1

• Frostburg State struck first in the top of the first inning as a solo homerun over the left center field fence during the second at-bat of the game made it a 1-0 ball game.
• West Liberty's first hit of the game occurred in the bottom of the second inning as Breena Grace hit a 2-out single to the shortstop, putting runners on the corners, however a strikeout on the ensuing at-bat ended the frame.
• The Hilltoppers evened the game at one apiece in the bottom of the third as Shelby Harris hit an RBI ground out to third base, scoring Kayla Mancuso who hit a leadoff single through the left side. WLU's lone extra base hit of the contest occurred in the frame as Sara Simon knocked a double through the right side.
• The Bobcats extended their lead with a pair of runs in both the top of the sixth and seventh innings. FSU scored two runs off a single up the middle in the sixth, and then in the seventh they added one run on a single to right center and a double to right center.

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS – GAME 1
Sara Simon: 1-for-4, 1 double
Kayla Mancuso: 1-for-3, 1 run scored
Madison Angus: 6.0 innings pitched, 6 hits allowed, 1 earned run allowed, 1 strikeout
 
QUICK DETAILS – GAME 2
Final Score: West Liberty 6, Frostburg State 5
Team Records: West Liberty 17-29 (11-15 MEC), Frostburg State 26-17 (17-7 MEC)
Attendance: 115
Pitching Decision: Win: Kadence Pettit (10-10), Loss: Sydney Theobald (11-5)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2

• After surrendering a leadoff triple to open game two, West Liberty maintained their composure and forced Frostburg State to leave the runner stranded as three consecutive outs ended the frame.
• The Hilltoppers struck first in the bottom of the first inning as they plated four runs in the frame. A single up the middle from Sara Simon allowed Kayla Mancuso to score the first run of the game, after she reached base on an error. Jaden Conrad, who hit a bunt single to reach base, scored on a single to the shortstop by Mallory Rosnick. Simon crossed home plate as Olivia Munoz hit a single to second base, and the frame ended as Rosnick scored while Munoz was caught attempting to steal second base.
• The Bobcats responded with four runs of their own to even the game at four apiece in the top of the second. FSU scored on a 2-run homerun over the left field fence, then later in the inning a 2-RBI double to left field tied the game.
• Kadence Pettit began to settle into the circle in relief in the top of the third as she sent all three batters down on strikes.
• WLU took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth inning as Carlee Leidy connected on a 2-out single to left field which scored Munoz and Madalyn Johnson to make it a 6-4 game.
• Frostburg State loaded the bases with just one out in the top of the seventh inning on a single up the middle. The next at-bat FSU recorded a single to right center to score one run, however they had the tying run thrown out at the plate on a throw from Avery Becker in right field to Breena Grace. The Black & Gold closed out the upset win the ensuing at-bat as Conrad snagged a line out to second base out of the air.

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS – GAME 2
Olivia Munoz: 2-for-2, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
Carlee Leidy: 2-for-3, 2 RBI
Sara Simon: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
Kadence Pettit: 6.0 innings pitched, 5 hits allowed, 1 earned run allowed, 7 strikeouts

POSTGAME INTERVIEW (OLIVIA MUNOZ & CARLEE LEIDY)

 
UP NEXT
West Liberty will step outside of Mountain East Conference play next weekend as they visit Salem for a pair of games in Bridgeport, West Virginia. The Hilltoppers and Tigers are slated for a 12 and 2 p.m. first pitch at The Bridge Sports Complex.