INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University softball team won both of its games versus Notre Dame (Ohio) on a drizzly Saturday afternoon at Lady Jackets Field. The Yellow Jackets defended a two-run lead for three innings to win the first game, 4-2, before they pulled off a comeback to send the second game into extra innings. A two-out rally in the eighth produced the three runs needed to sweep the Falcons, 7-6.

Postgame Records
WVSU: 20-8, 17-3 MEC
NDC: 12-16, 9-11 MEC

Game 1: WVSU 4, NDC 2, Final/7

• Junior Emilee Walker (3-0) struck out a season-high nine batters in a complete game performance. When the lead was returned to her in the fourth inning, she ensured that the Falcons were unable to get back in the game.
• Sophomore Abby Loyd produced the only extra base hit for West Virginia State with a double that scored two runs.
• Senior Danielle Lebsock went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Freshman Lindsey Phares also went 2-for-3 and drove in one run.

Quick Recap
West Virginia State opened the scoring in the second inning when Loyd ripped a double down the left field line. Madison Rafuson came around from second base while speedster Lebsock scored from first, 2-0. Notre Dame did the same exact thing in the top of the third, scoring runners from first and second with a double down the left field line to tie the game, 2-2.

Lebsock singled up the middle to start the bottom of the fourth before she stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Loyd. Lebsock then scored on a fielder's choice to reclaim the lead, 3-2. Phares came up with an RBI-single later in the half inning, 4-2.

Walker retired the side in the fifth. She allowed two baserunners in the sixth and loaded the bases in the seventh, but still held NDC scoreless by getting outs with her back against the wall.

Game 2: WVSU 7, NDC 6, Final/8

• Freshman Autumn Thompson (8-2) entered the game after two innings and had no earned runs through six innings pitched. She gave up just three hits while striking out six.
• Freshman Lindsey Phares had a career game from inside the batter's box. She went 3-for-5 with a double and a homerun while driving in four runs and scoring once herself.
• Each team committed four errors in the second game. Three of West Virginia State's runs were earned while two of Notre Dame's runs were earned.

Quick Recap
The Falcons scored four unanswered runs in the first two innings to pull in front, 4-0. In the third inning, Phares belted a two-run jack over the left field fence to close the gap, 4-2. Emma Ruth's RBI-single in the fifth gave one run back to the Yellow Jackets, 4-3. Lebsock crushed a triple in the sixth and scored on an errant throw to tie it, 4-4.

Extra innings were required with the score remaining deadlocked after seven. Notre Dame was quick to put up two runs in the top of the eighth, 6-4. WVSU was left with two runs to make up in the bottom of the eighth or else accept defeat.

The first at bat of the half inning was a flyout. Lebsock was fortunate to reach base on a fielding error before the second out came. She stole second to get into scoring position. Loyd drove her in with a single to right field, 6-5. Emele Clark then kept the game alive with a single into left field. Phares stepped up to the plate and ripped a double down the left field line to win it, 7-6.

Next Up
Sunday, April 18: vs. Alderson Broaddus (DH) 1 p.m.