BRISTOL, Tenn. — The West Liberty Hilltoppers softball team opened the 2026 campaign Friday with a pair of losses at the King Invitational, falling 4-1 to King before dropping an 11-2 decision in five-innings to Malone later in the day.

Game One: King 4, West Liberty 1

The Hilltoppers were limited to three hits in the opener as King used a three-run first inning to seize early control.

All three first-inning runs were unearned, as defensive miscues extended the frame for the Tornado. King added an insurance run in the fifth to push the lead to 4-0.

West Liberty broke through in the fifth inning. With two outs, the Hilltoppers manufactured a run when a caught-stealing sequence allowed a runner from third to score, trimming the deficit to 3-1 at the time.

Alayna Cook and Rylee Mangold each recorded hits, while the pitching staff held King to just one earned run across six innings.

Game Two: Malone 11, West Liberty 2 (5 Innings)

In the second game of the day, Malone struck early and often, scoring in every inning to secure an 11-2 run-rule victory in five innings.

Malone opened the scoring with a solo home run in the first and added another run in the second before capitalizing on defensive miscues in the third and fourth innings. A five-run fourth inning broke the game open, as the Pioneers took advantage of three West Liberty errors.

West Liberty (0-2) answered in the fourth inning with a pair of runs. Annaliese Davis delivered an RBI double to left-center, plating Reese Ward, and Faith Randolph followed with an RBI single to right field to cut the deficit to 9-2.

The Hilltoppers finished with eight hits in the contest, including doubles from Jaden Conrad and Davis. Sara Simon and Mangold also contributed base hits. However, three defensive errors and timely hitting by Malone proved costly.

 Mangold took the loss in the circle, while Ashleigh Heiderscheit and Brooke Perri provided relief appearances. Malone's Mia Rose earned the win after allowing two runs on eight hits.

The Hilltoppers return to action Saturday facing Malone at 10 a.m followed by King at Noon. 




West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.