BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The West Liberty University softball team closed out the 2026 regular season with a split against Salem on Friday, falling 3-1 in the opener before bouncing back with a 6-0 shutout victory in game two.
The Hilltoppers head into postseason play at 22-29 overall and 14-14 in the MEC.
Game One: Salem 3, West Liberty 1
West Liberty was held to just three hits in the opener as Salem capitalized on early offense to secure the win.
The Tigers struck quickly in the first inning with a two-run double from Kylie Zinn, then added another run in the second to take a 3-0 lead. That would prove to be enough behind a strong outing from Brooke Wise in the circle.
The Hilltoppers broke through in the third inning when Paytyn Tucker drove in Heavenlee Ball with an RBI groundout, but that was all the offense West Liberty could muster.
Jillian Morr, Jaden Conrad, and Caroline Woody each recorded a hit in the loss. Rylee Mangold provided solid relief work, tossing four scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
Game Two: West Liberty 6, Salem 0
West Liberty responded in a big way in the nightcap, using a balanced offensive attack and a dominant pitching performance to earn the split.
The Hilltoppers opened the scoring in the second inning on RBI singles from Delaney Homer and a bases-loaded walk by Delaney Deitrick. They added three more runs in the third, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Homer and an RBI knock from Ashlyn Tapman.
Tapman continued her strong game with another RBI in the fourth to extend the lead to 6-0.
Homer led the offense with three hits and three RBIs, while Tapman added three hits and two RBIs. Isabella McKee and Shelby Harris each contributed two hits as part of West Liberty's 14-hit effort.
In the circle, Ashleigh Heiderscheit delivered a complete-game shutout, allowing just six hits while striking out four to earn the win.
Up Next
West Liberty now turns its attention to the Mountain East Conference Tournament, which begins Wednesday in Salem, Virginia.
