BECKLEY, W.Va. — WVU Tech battled throughout Saturday's River States Conference doubleheader at Fitzpatrick Park, but St. Mary-of-the-Woods claimed both games, taking the opener 6-4 before winning the nightcap 6-0.
The Golden Bears now sit at 4-8 overall on the season.
Game 1
St. Mary-of-the-Woods 6, WVU Tech 4
WVU Tech showed resilience in the opener, responding to an early deficit with several key offensive moments to keep the game close.
After the visitors built an early lead in the first inning, the Golden Bears answered in the second when Ashleigh James singled to start the rally and later scored on an RBI groundout by Mallie Lawson. Tech added another run moments later when Brenna Reedy stole home, trimming the deficit to 5-2.
The Golden Bears continued to apply pressure in the third inning. Tori Wells tripled to right field and scored on an RBI groundout from Hailea Skeens, cutting the margin to three.
Tech pulled within two in the fifth inning when Peyton Hudnall singled, stole second and third, and scored on an RBI single by Olivia Barnett, making it a 6-4 contest and keeping the Golden Bears within striking distance late.
WVU Tech finished with eight hits in the game, highlighted by multi-hit performances from Barnett and Reedy.
Golden Bear Highlights
Meghan Gill went the distance in the circle, pitching 7.0 innings and working through traffic throughout the game while keeping the Golden Bears within reach.
Game 2
St. Mary-of-the-Woods 6, WVU Tech 0
In the second game, WVU Tech continued to battle offensively and produced several quality at-bats, led by a standout performance from Hailea Skeens.
Skeens paced the Golden Bears with three hits, including a double, while Kaylee Waddell added two hits as Tech totaled five hits in the contest.
WVU Tech created scoring opportunities in multiple innings, including a sixth-inning chance when Skeens doubled and moved into scoring position.
In the circle, Taylor Scott delivered a complete-game effort, pitching 7.0 innings and continuing to anchor the Golden Bears' pitching staff.
Golden Bear Highlights
Season Leaders
Through 12 games, Olivia Barnett leads WVU Tech with a .389 batting average, collecting 14 hits, five doubles, two triples, one home run and a team-leading 11 RBIs. Hailea Skeens paces the Golden Bears with 12 runs scored, while also batting .345 with 10 hits and eight RBIs on the season. Brenna Reedy is also hitting .333, adding eight hits and two doubles.
In the circle, Taylor Scott leads the Golden Bears with 15 strikeouts in 32.2 innings while posting a 4.50 ERA and three complete games this season, including a complete-game victory against Oakland City. Meghan Gill has also carried a significant workload for WVU Tech, making six starts and pitching 34.2 innings with nine strikeouts on the year.
What's Next
WVU Tech returns to the road next weekend for a pair of River States Conference doubleheaders, beginning Friday, March 20, at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, Ind. The Golden Bears then continue conference play Saturday, March 21, at Brescia University in Owensboro, Ky.
