Institute, WV— The University of Charleston softball team dropped both games of an MEC doubleheader at West Virginia State on Thursday, falling in extra innings in game one before a 7-2 loss in game two
Game 1
The Basics:
Location: Institute, W.Va. (Lady Jackets Field)
Score: Charleston 1, West Virginia State 2 (10 innings)
Records: Charleston (35-12, 17-4 MEC), West Virginia State (19-22, 8-13 MEC)
How It Happened:
Game one turned into a grind from the start with both teams locked in a scoreless battle through nine innings. Charleston had a few chances, including a double from Kayla Moran in the fourth and traffic late, but couldn't get the big hit.
Addison Mass kept the Golden Eagles in control all game, limiting West Virginia State to four hits and working through multiple tight spots to force extras.
Charleston finally broke through in the 10th. With Kaleigh Serra placed at third, Ella Zucchero lifted a sacrifice fly to bring her home and give UC a 1-0 lead.
West Virginia State answered in the bottom half. A two-out single tied the game, and another hit down the line ended it, handing Charleston a 2-1 loss in extra innings.
Game 2
The Basics:
Location: Institute, W.Va. (Lady Jackets Field)
Score: Charleston 2, West Virginia State 7
Records: Charleston (35-13, 17-5 MEC), West Virginia State (20-22, 9-13 MEC)
How It Happened:
Charleston grabbed the early lead in game two after Ella Zucchero came around to score on a wild pitch in the first inning.
West Virginia State responded right away and took control in the second. A four-run inning, helped by a mix of hits and errors, pushed the Yellow Jackets in front 5-1.
The Golden Eagles chipped away in the sixth when Taylor Hodson drove in a run to make it 5-2, but West Virginia State answered again in the bottom half with a two-run double to stretch the lead back out.
Charleston put runners on late, but couldn't put together a final push as West Virginia State secured the 7-2 win.
Up Next:
Charleston returns to action against West Virginia Wesleyan on April 25 at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.