BUCKHANNON — In a nail-biting finish, West Virginia Wesleyan narrowly defeated Salem University 1-0 in a low-scoring, pitcher-dominated battle on Wednesday afternoon in game one of a doubleheader. The game, which was a showcase of stellar pitching performances, was decided in the top of the ninth inning when Lynzee Hague singled to drive in the game’s only run, scoring Hallie Dinklocker from second base.
West Virginia Wesleyan’s late rally proved to be the difference, as they pushed across the winning run in the top of the ninth. Dinklocker, who had walked earlier in the inning and then stolen second, came home on Hague’s sharp single to right field, giving the Bobcats their first and only run of the game.
Stoffel was the story for West Virginia Wesleyan, delivering a gem of a performance. The senior pitcher threw a complete game shutout, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out 14. Stoffel’s dominance in the circle was evident, as she held Salem to just two hits in the entire game, and her high strikeout count kept the Salem hitters guessing all afternoon. Stoffel was efficient, throwing 144 pitches while inducing five ground outs and generating a strong defense behind her.
For West Virginia Wesleyan, the offensive stars were Hague and Alyssa Rohr, who each collected two hits. Hague’s clutch RBI single in the ninth was the only scoring play of the game, while Rohr’s two singles helped keep the pressure on the Salem defense.
Salem University secured a 2-1 win over West Virginia Wesleyan in a tight pitcher’s duel in game two with Francesca Alvaro leading the way in the circle.
Salem jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Jocelyn Moetului singled in Brianna Wise. In the fourth, Kelsey Anderson’s RBI single extended the lead to 2-0.
West Virginia Wesleyan responded in the fourth with an unearned run when Josi Fix singled to drive in Alyssa Rohr, but that would be all the Lady Bobcats could manage.
Alvaro tossed a complete game, allowing just four hits and striking out seven, while Morgan Greene took the loss for the Lady Bobcats, despite pitching a complete game with five strikeouts.
