INSTITUTE, W.VA. – The WVSU softball team split with conference rival West Liberty University at Lady Jackets Field. The Yellow Jackets won game one in come-from-behind form, while they came from behind twice to take the lead or tie, before ultimately dropping a nine inning decision. Autumn Thompson pitched a complete game win in game one, while three pitchers shared the duties in game two, with Emilee Walker ultimately being charged with the loss.

GAME 1: WVSU 3, WEST LIBERTY 2
The Yellow Jackets picked up their conference home opener Friday in thrilling fashion, winning 3-2 on a walk-off single from shortstop Lindsey Phares after a leadoff home run from left fielder Paige Scruggs.

After Scruggs solo shot over the left field fence, catcher Tori Lambert reached on a Hilltoppers error, and after two outs, centerfielder Kerigan Moore also reached via error, moving pinch runner Chelsea Thompson to second base. 

An intentional walk to pitcher Autumn Thompson loaded the bases for Phares to deliver the victory. 

It was a pitcher's duel early in the contest, as both squads had tallied just five total hits through the first three innings. 

State opened the contest threatening, using a double from Thompson and a walk and hit-by-pitch to load the bases before leaving all three Yellow Jackets stranded. 

Thompson singled and graduate student Emily Moore singled her to second base, but both were left on to end the third inning and douse another State threat. 

The stalemate remained until the 7th, when West Liberty broke the blank after a leadoff walk followed by a sacrifice bunt put the Hilltoppers into scoring position. A single followed by another sacrifice bunt brought West Liberty home, and a connection up the middle put WLU up 2-0. 

Thompson went 2-for-3 and tallied five strikeouts as she hurled a complete game.

GAME 2: WVSU 10, WEST LIBERTY 11 (9)

WVSU committed five fielding errors that ultimately doomed them in a game two shootout that saw 25 base hits between the two teams, including 10 extra-base hits.

The Yellow Jackets drew three straight walks to start off the bottom of the first. Emily Moore drove in the first run with a single through the left side. Paige Scruggs then reached base on a fielder's choice to allow another run to score. Scruggs then stole second before Emma Ruth smacked a double to right center and brought two runners home, 4-0. The Hilltoppers were forced to yank their starting pitcher not long after.

West Liberty got three runs back in the top of the third. With two outs, the Hilltoppers scored one on an RBI-single into center and two more with a single through the left side of the infield, 4-3.

WLU picked up four more runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead, 7-4. West Liberty tied the score on a fielder's choice, went two in front with a double, and added one more run with a groundout.

The Yellow Jackets answered back in force in the bottom half of the same inning. Scruggs hit a two RBI single down the left field line scoring Thompson and Kerigan Moore. Emily Moore scored on a fielding error. Dillow walked with the bases loaded, forcing Ruth to score. Kerigan Moore rounded out the scoring by hitting a dribbler to the pitcher that she beat out and scored Mendoza. The Jackets turned a 7-4 deficit into a 7-9 lead after four innings. 

West Liberty plated one run in each of the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings on a wild pitch, fielding error and double, respectively. 

WVSU was down 10-9 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh when Phares belted one into right center field and scored Kerigan Moore to tie the game up and force extra innings. 

West Liberty ended up scoring the game-winning run in the top of the ninth. Thompson came up to bat with the tying run again at third base, but she was left stranded 60 feet from home when she grounded out to end the 2 hour, 59 minute marathon of a game.

Scruggs knocked in 3 RBIs for the Yellow Jackets. Walker pitched 5 ⅔ innings, striking out four in the loss.

The Yellow Jackets return to Lady Jackets Field on Sunday, March 27th for an afternoon tilt against the Wheeling Cardinals. First pitch for game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2:00 pm. Live stats and streaming will be available.