TAMPA, Fla. – The West Liberty softball team dropped the first game of its doubleheader against No. 3-ranked University of Tampa, falling 15-2 in five innings at Naimoli Field.

The host Spartans (18-1) wasted no time jumping on the scoreboard, plating six runs in the first inning. 

West Liberty (4-6) responded in the third, cutting into the deficit with back-to-back RBI hits. Jillian Morr doubled to drive in Jaden Conrad, and Mallory Rosnick followed with an RBI single, bringing the score to 8-2. However, the Hilltoppers were unable to add any more runs, stranding multiple runners on base.

Tampa extended its lead with a seven-run fourth inning. The Spartans' pitching staff limited West Liberty to just six hits over five innings, striking out two.

Kadence Pettit  took the loss for the Hilltoppers, allowing six runs in the first inning before being relieved by Abby Tapman, who pitched the final three frames.

Game 2 

The Hilltoppers  struggled to generate offense in the second game of their doubleheader, falling 6-0 to Tampa.

Tampa broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning, pushing across four runs . The Spartans added two more runs in the fifth. 

West Liberty (4-7) managed just three hits in the contest, with Jena Conrad, Mallory Rosnick, and Kayla Mancuso each recording a single. However, the Hilltoppers were unable to string together.

Madison Angus took the loss for West Liberty, allowing six runs on nine hits over five innings, while Leah Alford tossed a scoreless sixth in relief.

The Hilltoppers will look to regroup as they continue their road trip in Florida facing Eckerd Saturday in a doubleheader starting at Noon at the Turley Athletic Complex in St.Petersburg, Florida.