Troutville, Va. – The West Liberty University softball team fell in their first round match-up on Wednesday evening at the Botetourt Softball Complex to the MEC South Division champions, Charleston, in a 9-0 contest in five innings. Despite struggling to find a spark at the plate with only a pair of hits, the Hilltoppers challenged UC with scoring threats in the first and fifth frames as they left two runners stranded in scoring position and the bases loaded but were unable to crack the scoreboard. The Golden Eagles, on the other hand, were able to tally eight hits in the round one contest, recording a pair of doubles and a homerun to drive momentum to advance with a win.

QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: West Liberty 0, No. 11 Charleston 9 (5 Innings)
Team Records: West Liberty 18-33 (11-17 MEC), No. 11 Charleston 42-4 (27-3 MEC)
Attendance: 119
Pitching Decision: Win: Brianna McCown (27-3), Loss: Kadence Pettit (10-12)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• West Liberty saw a pair of base runners get aboard in the top of the first inning as Kayla Mancuso drew a full count, lead off walk, and Sara Simon hit a single to third base a couple of at-bats later to put runners on the corners. Simon eventually stole second for both runners in scoring position, however, Charleston got out of the frame unscathed with a strikeout and a fly out to center field.
• The Golden Eagles struck first in the bottom of the first as they blasted a 2-run shot over the left center field fence to take a 2-0 lead.
•  After going 3-up, 3-down in the top of the second, Jaden Conrad reached base and advanced to second in the third inning for WLU as the UC center fielder dropped a fly ball. The frame came to a close on a fly out to left field the ensuing at-bat.
• Charleston extended their lead in the bottom of the third as a double to left center cleared the bases and scored three runs to make it a 5-0 contest.
• After UC once again forced WLU to go down in order during the top of the fourth, the Golden Eagles pushed their lead to 9-0 as they scored one run on a double to left center, one run on a single, and two runs on a single through the left side.
• The Hilltoppers left the bases loaded in their last opportunity to extend the game in the top of the fifth inning, starting as Carlee Leidy recorded the second hit of the contest but was called out at second as Isabella Caruso reached first on a fielder's choice to the shortstop. The Black & Gold's final two base runners came as Mancuso was hit by a pitch and Conrad drew a full count walk before the game ended on a ground out.

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS
Carlee Leidy: 1-for-2
Sara Simon: 1-for-3, 1 stolen base
Kayla Mancuso: 0-for-1, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch
 
UP NEXT
West Liberty will face the north division's No. 2 seed, Frostburg State, tomorrow afternoon in an elimination game. The Hilltoppers and Bobcats are slated for a 2:30 p.m. first pitch at the Botetourt Softball Complex in Troutville, Virginia, with the winner advancing to face the loser of game six at 5 p.m. in another elimination game.