Salem, Va. – Sara Simon blasted a walk-off, two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift West Liberty to a 4-2 extra-inning win over Davis & Elkins in the opening round of the Mountain East Conference Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex.

With the game knotted at 2-2, Sydney Johnson reached on a fielder's choice before Simon stepped up and delivered the decisive blow — a towering shot to center field — sending the Hilltoppers racing out of the dugout in celebration.

Simon finished the day 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and the game's biggest hit, leading a resilient Hilltopper squad that overcame an early two-run deficit.

Trailing 2-0 in the fifth, West Liberty scratched across its first run when Emily Allen singled home Kassydi Harris, then tied it moments later on a Davis & Elkins fielding error that allowed Allen to score after stealing third.

While Kadence Pettit gave the Hilltoppers a strong start in the circle — scattering seven hits and just one earned run over six innings — it was Ashlyn Tapman who came on in relief and shut the door. Tapman pitched two scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth, allowing just one hit and striking out two, while also working around a hit-by-pitch. Her clutch performance in extra innings earned her the win, improving her record and sealing a critical victory for West Liberty.

The Hilltoppers advance to the next round of MEC Tournament play Thursday, riding the momentum of Simon's heroics and a standout effort in the circle from both Pettit and Tapman.

WLU will face Glenville State Thursday at Noon.