ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The West Liberty softball team jumped out to an early lead and held off a late rally from Eckerd to secure an 8-6 victory in the opening game of their doubleheader on Saturday.
The Hilltoppers (5-7) wasted no time putting runs on the board, scoring five in the first inning. Mallory Rosnick got things rolling with a two-run single to center, scoring Jaden Conrad and Jillian Morr. Isabella McKee followed with another two-run single up the middle before Alayna Cook capped off the big inning with an RBI single to make it 5-0.
Eckerd responded with a run in the bottom of the first and cut the deficit to 5-2 in the third on a throwing error, but West Liberty extended its lead in the fifth. A throwing error by Eckerd allowed two unearned runs to score, pushing the Hilltoppers' advantage to 7-2.
The Tritons continued to battle, scoring twice in the sixth to pull within 7-4. West Liberty added a key insurance run in the top of the seventh when Emily Allen drew a bases-loaded walk. Eckerd made things interesting in the bottom half, plating two runs before the Hilltoppers shut the door to secure the win.
Kadence Pettit (3-2) earned the victory, allowing just one earned run over 5.1 innings, while Ashlyn Tapman came on in relief to pick up the save. Offensively, McKee led the way with a 3-for-4 performance, driving in two runs and adding a double.
Game 2
The Toppers came up short in the second game of their doubleheader against Eckerd, dropping a 5-2 decision on Saturday afternoon.
Eckerd took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. West Liberty responded in the fourth inning when Sydney Johnson delivered a clutch two-run single up the middle, scoring Sara Simon and Kayla Mancuso to cut the deficit to 3-2. However, Eckerd answered back in the bottom half, capitalizing on a throwing error to plate two unearned runs and push the lead to 5-2.
Despite solid relief pitching from Leah Alford, who held Eckerd scoreless over the final two innings, the Hilltoppers were unable to generate any late offense. Johnson finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while Simon added a triple.
The Toppers will wrap up their spring break trip in Florida on Tuesday when they meet Saint Leo University in a doubleheader at Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium.
