WHEELING, W.Va. – The West Liberty University softball team earned a split in Wednesday's Mountain East Conference doubleheader at Wheeling, falling 2-1 in game one before bouncing back for a 4-3 extra-inning victory in game two.
Game One: Wheeling 2, West Liberty 1
West Liberty struck first in the opening inning as Jaden Conrad delivered a sacrifice fly to score Jillian Morr and give the Hilltoppers a 1-0 lead.
That advantage held until the fifth inning when Wheeling tied the game on an RBI single from Eden Troxel. The Cardinals then capitalized on a late opportunity in the seventh, scoring the go-ahead run on an error to secure the 2-1 win.
Annaliese Davis turned in a strong performance in the circle despite taking the loss, allowing just one earned run on five hits over 6.2 innings while striking out three.
Morr led the Hilltoppers at the plate with a 2-for-2 effort, while Isabella McKee, Shelby Harris, and Davis each added a hit.
Game Two: West Liberty 4, Wheeling 3 (8 inn.)
The Hilltoppers responded in game two, jumping out to an early lead. Conrad drove in Paytyn Tucker with a sacrifice in the first inning before Shelby Harris added a solo home run in the second to make it 2-0.
Wheeling chipped away, tying the game with runs in the third and sixth innings to force extra innings.
West Liberty regained control in the eighth, as Conrad delivered an RBI single and Ashleigh Heiderscheit followed with an RBI walk to give the Hilltoppers a 4-2 advantage.
Wheeling added a run in the bottom of the inning, but Ashlyn Tapman closed the door in relief to earn the save and secure the split.
Davis picked up the win in the circle, going the distance through seven innings while allowing three runs. Tucker paced the offense with two hits and two runs scored, while Conrad drove in a pair of runs. Harris added the team's lone extra-base hit with her home run.
Up Next
West Liberty returns home this weekend to host Fairmont State in a four-game MEC series.
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.
