INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Liberty University softball team came up short in a Saturday doubleheader at West Virginia State, falling 2-0 in game one and 7-1 in game two.

Game 1: West Virginia State 2, West Liberty 0

West Liberty was held to just two hits in the opener despite a strong performance in the circle from Ashlyn Tapman.

Tapman (1-4) went the distance, allowing just four hits and two runs while keeping the Hilltoppers within striking distance throughout.

The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when West Virginia State broke through with a solo home run. The Yellow Jackets added an insurance run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly.

Offensively, Sara Simon and Jaden Conrad accounted for West Liberty's only hits, while the Hilltoppers were limited to just one walk and struggled to generate sustained offense.

Game 2: West Virginia State 7, West Liberty 1

West Liberty showed more offensive life in game two but was undone by a big inning from West Virginia State.

The Yellow Jackets took control in the third, capitalizing on a pair of Hilltopper errors to score four runs, all unearned.

West Liberty answered in the fourth inning when Kadence Pettit delivered an RBI single to score Annaliese Davis and cut the deficit to 4-1.

However, West Virginia State responded with a run in the fourth and added two more in the sixth to pull away.

The Hilltoppers totaled seven hits in the nightcap, led by Pettit's 3-for-3 performance with an RBI. Paytyn Tucker added two hits, while Davis and Isabella McKee also recorded hits.

Up Next

West Liberty moves to 9-16 on the season and will look to bounce back Sunday in its next Mountain East Conference matchup at Charleston.




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.