West Liberty, W.Va. & Wheeling, W.Va. — The University of Charleston softball team split its doubleheader with West Liberty University on Friday before sweeping Wheeling University on Saturday, improving its record to (12-8, 4-4 MEC).
The Basics:
Locations: Hilltopper Softball Complex & JB Chambers I-470 Complex
Scores: G1 vs. WLU (4-3, 10 innings, W); G2 vs. WLU (10-5, L); G1 vs. WU (5-3, W); G2 vs. WU (11-8, eight innings, W)
Records: UC 12-8 (4-4 MEC); WLU 9-15 (3-2 MEC); WU 4-24 (1-5 MEC)
How it Happened:
In Friday's opener at West Liberty (9-15, 3-2 MEC), Charleston earned a hard-fought 4-3 win in 10 innings. Addison Mass pitched a complete game, allowing just five hits and striking out 11. Kayla Moran drove in the go-ahead run with a double in the 10th and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Kaleigh Serra. Moran finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs, while Kyra Gooler added three hits and two RBIs.
Charleston dropped the second game 10-5 despite a strong start offensively, leading 5-4 until a six-run fifth inning from West Liberty. Moran again led UC offensively, going 3-for-3 with one RBI. Hannah Meyer and Lindsey Phares contributed two hits each, with Meyer driving in two runs.
Saturday saw the Golden Eagles bounce back to sweep Wheeling (0-2) in a doubleheader. In game one, Charleston prevailed 5-3 behind another complete game by Mass, who recorded 10 strikeouts. Moran powered the offense with two home runs and four RBIs, including a decisive two-run shot in the seventh inning.
Charleston won the nightcap 11-8 in extra innings, fueled by 16 hits. Lindsey Phares delivered a three-run homer in the first inning and finished with three RBIs. Brittny Ogg broke an 8-8 tie in the eighth inning with a three-run homer. Moran collected three hits and scored twice, while Kyra Gooler had three hits and scored three runs.
Up Next:
The Golden Eagles will take a short trip to Institute, W.Va. on Wed., March 26 to battle in out with the Yellow Jackets at Lady Jackets Field in a doubleheader matchup. First pitch is set for 2pm.