Softball Lady ‘Cats open MEC Tournament with win then falls to Fairmont State

Sports Release
May 7, 2023

TROUTVILLE, Va. – The West Virginia Wesleyan Softball team opened up MEC Tournament play with a win against Frostburg State 7-3 but fell to Fairmont State in a walk-off, 3-2 in the nightcap. With the loss to FSU, the Bobcats are moved to the losers bracket at (1-1) in the tournament.

Game 1 vs Frostburg State
WVWC started the game off with a sac fly in the bottom of the 1st to claim an early 1-0 lead. The 2nd inning was quiet for both sides but Frostburg scored their first runs of the game in the top of the 3rd. A fielder’s choice and single to left made it 2-1 Frostburg. The Wesleyan bats exploded in the bottom of the 4th, scoring six runs on five hits.

Alli Robinson started the inning off with a double to the left-center gap and Kaitlyn Rizor brought her home on a bunt to tie it up at 2. Consecutive singles by Alyssa Souders and Hallie Dinklocker as well as a walk by Taylor Swartz loaded the bases with two outs. Grace Smith singled up the middle to take the lead and Morgan Norris blew the game wide open with a grand slam, making it 7-3 after four innings.

Frostburg answered lightly in the top of the 5th, plating a run on an RBI single up the middle. That would be the last of the offense for either sides as WVWC would eventually win 7-3 and advance to play Fairmont State.

Arden Miller, Jamie Roberts and Sierra Sanderson finished with two hits apiece with Roberts leading the way with 2 RBI for Frostburg as well. Roberts was also in the circle, taking the loss after pitching six innings and giving up seven runs (six earned) on three strikeouts and two walks.

Morgan Norris’ grand slam led Wesleyan as she finished with two hits and 4 RBI. MEC Pitcher of the Year Kendall Stoffel picked up the win, going seven innings and allowing three runs (all earned) on 10 hits and a walk.

Game 2 vs Fairmont State
The Bobcats used RBI singles from MEC Freshman of the Year Andie Dizon and Alli Robinson to get an early 2-0 lead in the 1st. The Falcons threatened in the bottom of the 1st, putting runners at first and second but couldn’t convert. Andie Dizon doubled to left-center in the top of 3rd, getting in scoring position with two outs. After a pitching change, FSU left unscathed on a flyout.

Abigail O’Shields got out of a jam once again in the bottom of the 4th as the Falcons hit back-to-back singles, giving themselves another chance to plate runs. O’Shields then struck one out and forced a flyout, keeping the 2-0 lead through four innings. In the bottom of the 6th, Fairmont State got on the board on a single down the right field line that barely stayed fair. Hannah Hudson was then brought in to finish the rest of the game.

After starting the bottom of the 7th with an error, the Falcons then drew a walk and sacrificed the runners over with a bunt, putting the tying run at third and the winning run at second. A walk loaded the bases and consecutive close plays at the plate went in favor of the Falcons as they walked it off 3-2 on a dribbler to the second baseman.

Abbie Keilholz led the Falcons with two hits and 2 RBI. Ally Maddy pitched 4.1 solid innings of relief, giving up no runs, no walks and just two hits.

Andie Dizon had two hits and an RBI to lead the Bobcats. Abigail O’Shields pitched 5.1 innings, allowing one run (earned) on nine hits and a walk. Hannah Hudson took the loss after an inning of relief, giving up two runs (one earned) on no hits and three walks.