WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University softball team put together a complete performance on Sunday afternoon, sweeping Frostburg State in a Mountain East Conference doubleheader with wins of 5-1 and 3-0 at the WLU Softball Complex.
The Hilltoppers (20-27) leaned on dominant pitching and opportunistic offense to take down the Bobcats (34-10), who entered the day second in the Mountain East Conference north division.
Game One: West Liberty 5, Frostburg State 1
West Liberty wasted no time responding after Frostburg State struck first in the opening inning. Trailing 1-0, the Hilltoppers capitalized on defensive miscues and aggressive baserunning to plate three runs in the bottom of the first.
Jaden Conrad reached on an error to bring home the tying run, while a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly from Kadence Pettit extended the lead to 3-1.
The Hilltoppers added to their advantage in the second inning when Ashlyn Tapman executed a steal of home, and Rylee Mangold drove in another run with a sacrifice fly in the third to make it 5-1.
Pettit (8-7) was in control in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing just one run on seven hits. She struck out six and did not issue a walk.
Tapman led the offense with two hits, while West Liberty made the most of five hits overall, aided by four walks and three Frostburg State errors.
Game Two: West Liberty 3, Frostburg State 0
The Hilltoppers carried that momentum into game two, once again striking early and relying on strong pitching to secure the sweep.
West Liberty opened the scoring in the first inning when Annaliese Davis drove in Sara Simon on a fielder's choice. The Hilltoppers added two more runs in the second, as Conrad delivered a clutch two-out single up the middle to plate Paytyn Tucker and Delaney Deitrick for a 3-0 lead.
That was all the run support needed for Ashlyn Tapman (3-6), who earned the win with four scoreless innings, allowing six hits while striking out three.
Mangold closed the door with a three-inning save, giving up just two hits and keeping Frostburg State off the scoreboard to secure her first save of the season.
Despite being out-hit 8-5, West Liberty's defense and pitching held firm, and the Hilltoppers turned a key double play to halt a Frostburg State threat.
Conrad led the offense in game two with two hits and two RBIs, while Tucker and Deitrick each scored a run.
West Liberty's strong showing comes after the Hilltoppers split a doubleheader with North Division-leading Fairmont State on Saturday, giving WLU three wins in four games against the division's top two teams over the weekend.
West Liberty will look to carry the momentum into its next Mountain East Conference series when they travel to Point Park Thursday.
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.
