GLENVILLE, W.Va. -- The West Virginia State University softball team had a strong showing over the weekend, winning three of four games at the Sue Morris Sports Complex. The Yellow Jackets picked up victories against California University of Pennsylvania, Bowie State and Bluefield State before dropping their final game against Gannon.
Post-Game Records:
WVSU: 3-3
California (PA): 1-2
Bowie State: 1-4
Bluefield State: 4-5
Gannon: 4-1
Game 1: WVSU 5, California (PA) 4
West Virginia State opened the weekend with a thrilling 5-4 comeback win over California (Pa.) on Friday. The Yellow Jackets trailed 4-2 entering the bottom of the seventh but rallied for three runs to walk it off. Chloe Treadway started the rally with a leadoff double, and Avery Contreras followed with an RBI single to bring the Yellow Jackets within one. Emily Bechtel kept the momentum going with a double before Emma Pauley delivered the game-winning two-run double to seal the victory. Pauley finished with three RBIs, while Bechtel and Treadway each contributed doubles. On the mound, Autumn Hall pitched five and one-third innings, allowing three earned runs, before Kelley Bickers closed it out to earn the win.
Game 2: WVSU 8, Bowie State 7
The Yellow Jackets carried their momentum into Saturday's matchup against Bowie State, earning an 8-7 walk-off victory. WVSU fell behind early, trailing 6-0 after two innings, but steadily climbed back. Sydney Shamblin went 4-for-4 and delivered the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the seventh. Bechtel added a two-run double in the sixth to help fuel the comeback. Kaleigh Murphy pitched five and two-thirds innings in relief, allowing just one unearned run and striking out six to pick up the win.
Game 3: WVSU 9, Bluefield State 4
West Virginia State continued its offensive success in a 9-4 win over Bluefield State later on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets broke open a tight game with a four-run sixth inning, highlighted by a two-run single from Pauley. Kylie Price and Treadway each hit home runs, while Cassidy Cummings added an RBI double. Bickers earned her second win of the weekend, pitching two innings in relief, while Murphy closed out the game with three scoreless innings to record the save.
Game 4: WVSU 7, Gannon 15 (6 inn)
The Yellow Jackets wrapped up the weekend against Gannon on Sunday but fell 15-7 in a high-scoring contest. WVSU jumped out to a 6-1 lead through two innings before Gannon responded with a seven-run fourth to take control. Cummings and Clarke Moore each hit doubles, while Shamblin, Price and Bechtel all contributed stolen bases. Bickers took the loss in relief, allowing four runs in a third of an inning.
The Yellow Jackets will look to build on their strong start as they open at home with a doubleheader against Lincoln (PA) at Lady Jackets Field on Wed. Feb. 26. First pitch of game one is scheduled for noon.
