BUCKHANNON – In a well-fought contest on Saturday afternoon, West Virginia Wesleyan came from behind to defeat Point Park 4-1 in the first game of a doubleheader with a strong five-run fifth inning leading them to victory.
The rally began when Lynzee Hague doubled to right center, driving in Cayden Ennen and Jaylyn Hodge to put the Lady Bobcats ahead 2-1. A few batters later, Andie Dizon’s single, which advanced to second on an error by Point Park’s first baseman, scored Hague for a 3-1 lead. Gracie Arnold followed with a single, advancing to second and driving in Dizon, extending the lead to 4-1.
Point Park was unable to respond, as they managed only three hits in the game, with Melanie Taylor (1-for-3) the only player to register a multi-hit game, including a double. Mia Arndt also went 1-for-3, bringing in the team’s lone run. Despite drawing a walk in the third, the Pioneers were shut down by the pitching of Kendall Stoffel.
Stoffel was dominant in the circle for West Virginia Wesleyan, tossing a complete-game victory. She allowed just one run on three hits, striking out two, and walking only one while hitting one batter. Stoffel threw 95 pitches and was backed up by solid defensive plays.
Game two saw Point Park delivere an impressive offensive performance in a dominant 9-0 win over West Virginia Wesleyan. The Pioneers capitalized on a six-run first inning and never looked back, securing the victory with a balanced attack at the plate and solid pitching.
Point Park wasted no time, exploding for six runs in the opening frame. The rally started when Alyssa Wahl walked with the bases loaded, driving in Remington Koi to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead. The offense continued to roll as Payton Haller singled to bring in two more runs, with Wahl and Emma Henry scoring. Breanna Pies followed with another RBI single, advancing the score to 4-0. Bella Magliocco added an RBI single of his own, and a ground out by Julia Hill drove in one more run, making it 6-0 after just one inning.
Point Park extended their lead with a run in the fourth inning as Haller grounded out, bringing in Mia Arndt. In the fifth, Taylor singled home Jana Hess, and a passed ball allowed Kaylee Fabiano to score, completing the 9-0 scoreline.
Pitching was key for Point Park as well, with Wahl throwing a complete game shutout. Wahl allowed just six hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out none in her five innings of work. The defense was also solid, with the Pioneers turning one double play and committing only two errors.
For West Virginia Wesleyan, Morgan Greene struggled in the first inning, giving up six earned runs on six hits in just 0.1 innings. Josi Fix came in relief and managed to hold Point Park to three runs on five hits in 4.2 innings of work. However, the Bobcats could not mount any offense, finishing the game with only six hits and no runs scored.
