CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Wesleyan softball team split with the Charleston Golden Eagles Saturday in the Capital City, falling in 10 innings in the first game 2-1 and shutting out UC 3-0 in game two. With the split, the Lady Bobcats are still a 1/2 game back from Charleston in the MEC South Divisional standings.
Game 1
The Lady Bobcats made two costly errors in the bottom of the third as Charleston’s Brionna Bowman singled and then stole second, advanced to third on one error and got home on another error by Wesleyan.
Down to their final at-bats in the top of the seventh trailing by one, Wesleyan tied the game at 1-1 with an Amillia Howard solo shot to left-center. Abigail O’Shields forced the game into extras after putting UC down in order. WVWC put at least one runner in scoring position in the eighth, ninth and 10th innings but couldn’t get a run home. A sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th walked it off for the Golden Eagles, winning 2-1.
Hannah Rose and Bowman had the only hits for UC and Reagan West had an RBI. Brianna McCown pitched all 10 innings, giving up one run (earned) on eight hits and three walks while striking out eight.
Taylor Swartz and Alyssa Rohr both had two hits apiece and Howard’s pinch-hit home run was the only RBI for the Lady Bobcats. O’Shields pitched a masterful 9 2/3 innings, giving up two runs (unearned) on two hits and nine strikeouts.
Game 2
Hallie Dinklocker started the game with a walk and moved into scoring position on a bunt and a passed ball. A sacrifice fly from Norris put the Lady Bobcats up 1-0 early. The Lady Bobcats extended their lead in the top of the third when Swartz doubled to left and Norris powered one over the centerfield fence, making it 3-0.
Kendall Stoffel had her biggest challenge in the bottom of the sixth as Charleston had multiple singles and put those runners at second and third with two outs. Stoffel didn’t allow a run, forcing a groundout to Grace Smith to end the inning. Stoffel closed UC in the bottom of the seventh to get Wesleyan their 30th win of the season.
Jeritza Montero led Charleston with two hits, going 2-3 at the plate. Danielle Bauer was given the loss, going seven innings and giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk.
Norris had knocked in three runs to lead the Lady Bobcats and Andie Dizon finished with two hits. Stoffel picked up her MEC-leading 15th win, pitching a complete game and surrendering no runs on four hits and striking out three.
Up Next For The Lady Bobcats
Wesleyan goes up the road on Wednesday for a midweek MEC matchup with Davis & Elkins for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
