WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University softball team earned a split with north division leading Fairmont State on Saturday afternoon at the WLU Softball Complex, taking game one 5-1 before falling 12-4 in the nightcap.
The Hilltoppers move to 18-27 on the season, while the Falcons sit at 30-10.
Game One: West Liberty 5, Fairmont State 1
West Liberty used a dominant fifth inning to secure the opening game victory.
After four scoreless frames, Fairmont State broke through in the top of the fifth on an RBI triple from B. Hess to take a 1-0 lead.
The Hilltoppers responded immediately—and emphatically—in the bottom half of the inning. Jaden Conrad tied the game with an RBI double, and Kadence Pettit followed with a two-run single to give WLU a 3-1 advantage.
West Liberty continued to apply pressure as Caroline Woody drove in a run after being hit by a pitch, and Paytyn Tucker capped the inning with an RBI single to extend the lead to 5-1.
Tucker led the offensive effort, going a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, while Conrad and Pettit each drove in key runs during the decisive inning.
In the circle, Pettit tossed five strong innings, allowing just one hit while keeping the Falcons off the scoreboard. Ashlyn Tapman earned the win in relief, allowing one run over the final two innings while striking out three.
Game Two: Fairmont State 12, West Liberty 4
The Falcons bounced back in game two with a high-powered offensive performance, scoring 12 runs on 19 hits.
Fairmont State jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run double from A. Foresha. West Liberty answered with three runs of its own in the bottom of the inning, as Isabella McKee delivered a two-run double and Sara Simon added an RBI double to cut the deficit to 4-3.
However, the Falcons regained control with a run in the second, another in the third, and two more in the fourth to extend the lead to 8-3.
Fairmont State continued to add on late, including a two-run fifth and a pair of runs in the sixth, while West Liberty's only additional run came on an RBI groundout from McKee in the fifth.
McKee finished with three RBIs to lead the Hilltoppers, while Simon added two hits. Tucker scored twice and reached base multiple times.
West Liberty will return to action Sunday as they host Frostburg State for a doubleheader beginning at noon.
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.
