GLENVILLE, W.Va. — Glenville State used timely hitting and a dominant performance in the circle from senior pitcher Kylie Burdick to secure a 4-1 game one victory over West Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon at the Sue Morris Sports Complex.
Burdick (18-8) continued her strong season by throwing a complete game, limiting the Lady Bobcats to just four hits and one unearned run over seven innings. She struck out three without issuing a walk, allowing the Pioneers (33-15) to gradually pull away after a tight start.
Glenville State struck first in the opening frame. After Kylee Goodman led off with a double to right center and stole third, Shelby McDaniels drove her in with a groundout to third, giving the Pioneers a quick 1-0 advantage.
Wesleyan (18-33) responded in the third inning to knot the game at 1-1. After Hallie Dinklocker singled and advanced to second on a passed ball, Alyssa Rohr reached on a two-out error, allowing Dinklocker to come home with the Bobcats’ lone run.
However, Glenville State’s offense answered in the fifth inning. After a walk and a wild pitch set the table, Delaney Warnick delivered the decisive blow, launching a two-run homer over center field to put the Pioneers ahead 3-1. Warnick finished the day 1-for-2 with two RBIs, a walk, and a run scored.
McDaniels extended the lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the sixth, singling up the middle to drive in Emma McLean, who had reached on a walk and stolen second base. McDaniels had a strong all-around game, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, a walk, and a run scored.
Offensively, Wesleyan was led by Dinklocker, who finished 1-for-3 and scored the team’s only run. Andie Dizon and Sydney Leadbetter also added hits for the Lady Bobcats, but Wesleyan was unable to capitalize on their few baserunners, stranding six runners overall.
In the circle, Josi Fix started for the Bobcats but lasted only one inning, allowing one run on three hits before giving way to Morgan Greene. Greene took the loss, throwing five innings and giving up three earned runs on two hits and five walks while striking out seven.
Fresh off the Game 1 win, the Pioneers wasted little time seizing control in the second contest. Monica Rodelo opened the scoring in the bottom of the second with a solo blast over the right-center field fence — her first home run of the season — giving Glenville State a 1-0 lead. Moments later, Zailees Seda singled, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Emma McLean, extending the advantage to 2-0.
The Pioneers tacked on an unearned run in the third after Wesleyan committed consecutive fielding errors. Kylee Goodman, who reached on one of those miscues, eventually scored on a second defensive miscue, giving Glenville State a 3-0 cushion.
Burdick tossed a complete-game three-hit shutout, striking out two and walking just one in seven innings of work.
For Wesleyan, Lynzee Hague provided a spark early with a leadoff double in the first inning, while Alyssa Rohr and Gracie Arnold each added singles. Rohr also stole a base in the fourth inning, but the Lady Bobcats were unable to cash in on their limited opportunities, stranding three runners.
Kendall Stoffel pitched well for Wesleyan despite taking the loss. The senior allowed just five hits and two earned runs over six innings, striking out three without issuing a walk.
