BRISTOL, Tenn. – The West Liberty University softball team split a pair of games Saturday, earning a 4-1 win over Malone before falling in heartbreaking fashion to King, 5-4.

Game One: West Liberty 4, Malone 1

The Hilltoppers opened the day with a strong all-around performance against Malone, using a big fourth inning and solid pitching to secure the victory.

Malone struck first in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI double from Mia Rose, but West Liberty quickly settled in.

The Hilltoppers tied the game in the third inning when Jaden Conrad delivered a sacrifice fly to bring home Paytyn Tucker and even the score at 1-1.

West Liberty broke the game open in the fourth. Sara Simon blasted a solo home run to give the Black & Gold a 2-1 lead. Later in the inning, Tucker came through again with a two-run double to left center, scoring Kadence Pettit and Alayna Cook to push the advantage to 4-1.

Tucker paced the offense with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, driving in two runs and swiping three bases. Simon added the home run, while Pettit doubled as part of the five-hit effort.

In the circle, Pettit was outstanding, tossing six innings and allowing just three hits and one earned run while striking out six. She induced 10 groundouts in the win. Annaleise Davis closed the game with a scoreless seventh inning to seal the victory.

West Liberty finished with four runs on five hits and played error-free defense in the win.

Game Two: King 5, West Liberty 4

In the second game of the day, the Hilltoppers rallied late but came up just short against King.

King jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning behind a three-run home run from Yuleesa Kennedy.

West Liberty chipped away in the fourth inning. Ashlyn Tapman singled up the middle to score Jaden Conrad, and later in the frame Sara Simon delivered an RBI single to bring home Reese Ward and cut the deficit to 3-2.

The Hilltoppers mounted another push in the seventh inning. With two outs, Ashleigh Heiderscheit reached on a throwing error that allowed both Alayna Cook and Simon to score, giving West Liberty a 4-3 lead.

However, King answered in the bottom half. Kennedy tripled to center field and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Aubrey King to tie the game. With two outs, Carlie Sheets delivered the decisive blow with a walk-off solo home run to lift King to the 5-4 victory.

Simon and Tapman each recorded RBIs for West Liberty, while the Hilltoppers capitalized on two King errors for two unearned runs. In the circle, Tapman went 6.2 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits while striking out two.

The Hilltoppers come home to host the Highlands Classic Friday-Sunday at the Highlands Sports Complex.




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.