WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University softball team picked up a Mountain East Conference doubleheader sweep over Wheeling on Wednesday at the Hilltopper Softball Complex, winning game one in walk-off fashion, 5-4, before cruising to an 11-0 run-rule victory in game two.
With the sweep, West Liberty improves to 9-14 overall and 3-1 in MEC play.
Game One: West Liberty 5, Wheeling 4
West Liberty needed late-inning magic to secure the opener, as Jillian Morr delivered a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the seventh to cap a dramatic finish.
The Hilltoppers struck first with a three-run third inning. Rylee Mangold and Sara Simon each produced sacrifice flies, while Annaliese Davis added an RBI double and Morr chipped in an RBI single to give West Liberty a 3-0 lead.
After adding another run in the fourth, West Liberty carried a 4-1 advantage into the seventh before Wheeling rallied. The Cardinals plated three runs in the top half of the inning to tie the game at 4-4, setting the stage for the Hilltoppers' final at-bat.
Jaden Conrad sparked the rally in the bottom of the seventh, and Morr followed with the game-winning double to secure the victory.
Morr led the offense with three hits and two RBIs, while Davis added two hits. Simon and Mangold each drove in runs as well.
Kadence Pettit went 6.2 innings in the circle before Ashlyn Tapman came on to record the final out and earn the win.
Game Two: West Liberty 11, Wheeling 0 (6 innings)
The Hilltoppers carried the momentum into game two, exploding for 11 runs on 11 hits to complete the sweep in six innings.
West Liberty wasted no time getting on the board, scoring twice in the first inning behind an RBI single from Simon and a sacrifice fly from Mangold. The Hilltoppers added another run in the second and one more in the fourth to build a steady lead.
The offense broke the game open in the sixth with a seven-run inning. Conrad highlighted the rally with an RBI single, while Morr added another run-scoring hit. Isabella McKee provided the biggest swing of the day, blasting a three-run home run to extend the lead before the game was ended early.
Simon paced the offense with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, scoring three runs and driving in two. Conrad added two hits and two RBIs, while McKee finished with four RBIs.
In the circle, Davis was dominant, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just two hits and striking out three.
The Hilltoppers travel to West Virginia State and Charleston this Saturday and Sunday.
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.
