INSTITUTE, W.Va. — West Virginia State University's softball team split a doubleheader against the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats Sunday.  The game featured a matchup between the top two teams in the MEC south division. Kasey Murphy took the victory in game one, 3-0, while Autumn Thompson dropped a game two decision, 6-0. 

POST GAME RECORDS

WVSU: 15-13, 12-4 MEC
WVWC: 19-10-1, 9-3 MEC

GAME 1: WVSU 3, WVWC 0

Neither team could get much going in the first inning. Only WVWC was able to manage a hit, a double. WVWC went down in order in the top of the second courtesy of a strikeout by Murphy and a line drive picked off out of midair by Emma Ruth. 

Ruth singled with one out in the bottom of the same inning then came home on a Murphy double to right field, 1-0.

WVWC stranded two runners in the top of the third and had runners on first and third with one out in the top of the fourth. The Bobcat hitter took the first pitch sharply down the left field line to a waiting Emma Ruth who caught the line drive then swung her glove to tag the runner coming down the third base line to double her off and shut down the threat.

Paige Scruggs led off the bottom of the fifth with a single through the right side of the infield then Murphy took a 3-1 pitch over the right-center field fence to plate two more and give herself a three-run cushion, 3-0. 

WV Wesleyan put three more runners on base in the sixth and seventh, but came up empty. In all, the Yellow Jacket defense forced the Bobcats to strand eight runners.

Murphy went 2-for-2 in the game with all three RBIs, a double and the two-run homer. Murphy also picked up the win, sitting down seven on strikes and only allowing one walk. Scruggs and Ruth both went 1-for-2.

GAME 2: WVSU 0, WVWC 6

WVSU never could figure out the lefty that WVWC sent into the circle, with Scruggs getting the only hit of the game for the Yellow Jackets, a blooper into right field that was misplayed and allowed Scruggs to get all the way to third. She was stranded at third when Tori Lambert flew out to left field.

The Bobcats put a five spot on the board in the top of the third, chasing Autumn Thompson. 

Emily Moore walked in the bottom of the fourth and was pinch run for by Hannah Wilson. Wilson was called out for leaving the bag too soon two pitches later.

WVWC added one more run for good measure in the sixth.

The Yellow Jackets will face the Senators from Davis & Elkins College Monday at Lady Jackets Field. Live stats and streaming will be available.