WHEELING, W.Va. – The West Liberty University softball team split a pair of games Friday at the Highlands Sports Complex, falling to University of Indianapolis, 7-4, before bouncing back with a 6-1 win over Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
West Liberty moves to 2-4 on the season.
Game 1: Indianapolis 7, West Liberty 4
No.15 Indianapolis (7-0) used a six-run second and third inning surge to build early separation and held off a late Hilltopper rally to remain unbeaten.
The Greyhounds scored twice in the second before plating four runs in the third to take a 6-0 lead. West Liberty chipped away late, breaking through in the sixth when Sara Simon doubled home Jaden Conrad and later scored on an RBI groundout by Shelby Harris.
The Hilltoppers added two more in the seventh. Simon drew a bases-loaded walk to score Paytyn Tucker, and Ashleigh Heiderscheit followed with another RBI walk to trim the deficit to 7-4, but the comeback fell short.
Simon finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Conrad added a double and scored twice.
In the circle, Rylee Mangold provided strong relief, allowing just one run over 4.2 innings while striking out six.
Game 2: West Liberty 6, Indiana (Pa.) 1
The Hilltoppers responded in game two behind a complete-game effort from Kadence Pettit and a breakout performance from Paytyn Tucker.
Pettit (2-1) scattered four hits over seven innings, allowing just one unearned run while striking out four and inducing 11 groundouts.
West Liberty opened the scoring in the third as Jillian Morr swiped third and scored. After Indiana (Pa.) tied the game in the fourth, the Hilltoppers seized control with a three-run fifth inning.
Tucker singled to spark the rally, and Jaden Conrad delivered a sacrifice fly before Pettit helped her own cause with an RBI double to push the lead to 4-1.
West Liberty added two insurance runs in the sixth on RBI singles from Tucker and Conrad.
Tucker led the offense with a 3-for-3 performance, two stolen bases, and an RBI. Morr scored three times, while Pettit added two hits and an RBI at the plate to complement her dominant outing in the circle.
West Liberty continues play at the Highlands Classic Saturday against Findlay at 10 a.m.
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.
