INSTITUTE, W.Va. — West Virginia State split a Mountain East Conference softball doubleheader with Concord on Friday, dropping the opener before rallying for a win in Game 2 at Lady Jackets Field.

In the opener, West Virginia State fell 7-4 despite showing flashes of offensive production. The Yellow Jackets struck first in the opening inning and later used a two-run fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from Olivia Bell, to briefly tie the game. Clarke Moore added a pair of hits and an RBI, while Bell drove in two runs. However, Concord answered with a go-ahead run in the fifth and broke the game open in the seventh with a three-run homer. West Virginia State tallied nine hits and added a late run in the final frame but couldn't complete the comeback.

West Virginia State responded in Game 2 with a 6-5 victory, using a balanced offensive attack and timely hitting to secure the split. The Yellow Jackets broke through with a three-run third inning, capped by Sydney Shamblin's inside-the-park home run, and added two more runs in the fourth on a two-RBI single from Moore. Shamblin finished with two RBIs, while Cassidy Cummings and Chloe Treadway each contributed key hits. West Virginia State added an insurance run in the fifth that proved crucial, holding off a late Concord rally in the seventh. Hope Sizemore earned the win in the circle, and Adrianna Green closed it out to preserve the victory.

Lady Yellow Jackets look to keep their momentum rolling as Glenville State pays us a visit in Institute tomorrow, April 4 at 2:00 PM.