Wheeling, W.Va. — The West Liberty University softball team wrapped up play at The Highlands Classic on Sunday at the Highlands Sports Complex, dropping a back-and-forth contest to Findlay before bouncing back with a decisive win over Lake Erie.
West Liberty fell 12-6 to University of Findlay in the morning game before earning a 12-4 victory over Lake Erie College in the afternoon finale.
Game One: Findlay Pulls Away Late, 12-6
The Hilltoppers (2-6) traded punches early with Findlay, responding to a three-run first inning with a run of their own on an RBI single by Kadence Pettit.
West Liberty surged ahead in the second inning with three consecutive doubles. Paytyn Tucker, Alayna Cook, and Jillian Morr each delivered RBI two-baggers to give the Hilltoppers a 4-3 advantage.
After Findlay regained the lead in the third, West Liberty battled back again in the fourth. Sara Simon drove in a run with a single before Pettit added another RBI knock to tie the game at 6-6.
The Oilers broke the contest open in the sixth inning, plating six runs on timely extra-base hits to secure the 12-6 victory.
Pettit led the offense with three hits and two RBIs. Morr added two hits, while Cook and Tucker each doubled as part of West Liberty's 10-hit effort.
Game Two: West Liberty Erupts for 12-4 Win Over Lake Erie
The Hilltoppers responded in dominant fashion in the afternoon matchup.
After Lake Erie grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first, West Liberty quickly evened the score and then took control in the third inning. Paytyn Tucker delivered a two-run single to highlight a three-run frame that gave the Hilltoppers a 4-1 advantage.
Lake Erie tied the game at 4-4 in the fifth, but West Liberty answered emphatically. The Hilltoppers erupted for five runs in the bottom half of the inning, keyed by a two-run double from Annaliese Davis and a two-run single from Caroline Woody.
West Liberty added three more runs in the sixth, highlighted by Davis' two-run triple and an RBI single from Rylee Mangold, to seal the 12-4 victory.
Davis turned in a standout performance, finishing with three hits, including two doubles and a triple, while driving in four runs. Tucker added three hits and two RBIs. West Liberty drew 16 walks in the game, applying constant pressure to the Lake Erie pitching staff.
Mangold earned the win in the circle, tossing 4.2 innings with five strikeouts before Davis closed out the final 1.1 scoreless frames.
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.
