BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Wesleyan softball team allowed no runs and just five hits in their doubleheader sweep at Glenville State on Saturday, winning the first game 3-0 and the second game 6-0. The Bobcats improved to (5-1) in MEC play.
Game 1
The game started out as a classic pitcher’s duel with both teams generating little to no offense, going down in order or getting a walk and the inning ending with an out. The first time through the lineup, all nine Lady Bobcats were struck out by Glenville’s Holly Brehm. The Pioneers had their first runner in scoring position in the bottom of the third with no outs but Hannah Hudson was able to get out unscathed with three straight outs.
Wesleyan got their first hit and baserunner in the top of the fifth on a Kiley Turner single. The offense would really come alive in the top of the sixth, breaking the scoring drought on an errant throw from Brehm to home, plating Alyssa Souders. Morgan Norris hit an infield bunt-single that scored Hallie Dinklocker and Gracie Hightower.
The Pioneers had the tying run at the plate with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, leaving with nothing once again after Hudson ended the inning with a strikeout. Hudson breezed through the bottom of the seventh with two strikeouts and a ground out, taking the win 3-0.
Emma McLean and Kaelyn Stenger had the only hits for the Pioneers. Brehm went the distance, giving up three runs (one earned) on six hits and striking out 13.
Norris led Wesleyan knocking in two runs and Turner was the only Lady Bobcat two hits. Hudson pitched yet another complete game gem, only giving up two hits and two walks while striking out nine.
Game 2
In the top of the first, the Lady Bobcats loaded the base with one out after a pair of walks and an infield single from Taylor Swartz. WVWC left with nothing after a double play ended the top half of the inning. The Lady Bobcats left with much more in the top of the third, scoring three runs on two hits and an error.
Dinklocker walked and stole second to get in scoring position for Norris to double her in. Swartz reached on an error and Andie Dizon brought Norris in on a double to left. Souders finished the scoring in the inning with a sacrifice fly, making it 3-0 after three innings.
In the top of the fifth, Wesleyan batted all the way around to extend their lead. Morgan Norris singled to start the inning off and Swartz reached on an error once again. A double play seemed to calm the Lady Bobcat offense down but Souders, Carlee Iannone and Amillia Howard hit three consecutive one-run singles to take a 6-0 lead through five.
Kendall Stoffel was superb all day, striking out six batters and allowed no baserunners in the last three innings to close out the Pioneers, securing the 6-0 win for the Lady Bobcats.
Glenville State was held to three hits with Ashton Palmer, Hayley Keefer and Haylee Stevens grabbing one apiece. Madison Thimmes took the loss, giving up six runs (four earned) on 10 hits and one walk.
Souders went a perfect 3-3 at the plate while knocking in two runs to lead Wesleyan. Norris, Dizon, Iannone and Howard all drove in run each. Stoffel improved her record to 8-1, pitching a complete game and giving up just three hits and one walk with nine strikeouts.
