RIO GRANDE, Ohio — WVU Tech softball continued River States Conference play Tuesday on the road, dropping a doubleheader at the University of Rio Grande by scores of 13-3 in five innings and 14-6 in five innings. The Golden Bears now stand 8-24 overall and 6-22 in conference play.
Game 1
Rio Grande 13, WVU Tech 3 (5 inn.)
WVU Tech kept working offensively throughout the opener and finished with seven hits, including multi-hit performances from Hailea Skeens and contributions from across the lineup. Meghan Gill and Mallie Lawson sparked the second inning with back-to-back singles, and Gill later stole home to put the Golden Bears on the board.
The Golden Bears added two more runs in the fifth. Peyton Hudnall singled, Skeens followed with another hit, and Olivia Barnett reached on an error that brought home one run. Mia Valenzuela then reached on an error that allowed another run to score as WVU Tech continued to pressure Rio Grande late in the contest.
Skeens went 2-for-3 and Hudnall, Barnett, Valenzuela, Gill and Lawson each added a hit. Gill started in the circle, while Barnett worked the final inning in relief for the Golden Bears.
Golden Bear Highlights
Game 2
Rio Grande 14, WVU Tech 6 (5 inn.)
WVU Tech answered with a strong offensive start in game two, scoring three runs in the top of the first. Hudnall singled, Skeens reached, and Barnett brought home a run while advancing on an error. Tori Wells followed with a sacrifice fly, and the Golden Bears quickly built a 3-0 lead.
After Rio Grande answered, WVU Tech kept battling and plated three more runs in the fifth. Skeens opened the inning with a single, Barnett's sacrifice bunt and an error helped bring in a run, Ashleigh James drove in another with a double, and Mia Valenzuela added an RBI single. The Golden Bears finished with eight hits in the game and produced four RBIs.
James delivered a perfect 3-for-3 performance, while Skeens finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Barnett scored twice. Hudnall and Valenzuela also contributed hits as Tech continued to generate offense against one of the conference's stronger teams.
Golden Bear Highlights
Season Leaders
Through 32 games, Hailea Skeens leads WVU Tech with a .434 batting average, totaling 43 hits, nine doubles, 16 RBIs and 25 runs scored. Olivia Barnett is batting .421 with 40 hits, 10 doubles, three triples, two home runs and a team-best 19 RBIs, while Tori Wells has contributed 27 hits, 15 RBIs and a team-high 12 stolen bases. Peyton Hudnall has added 26 hits, 19 runs scored and 11 stolen bases, and Ashleigh James has recorded 12 hits and eight RBIs.
In the circle, Taylor Scott has logged 100.0 innings with 38 strikeouts and 14 complete games, while Meghan Gill has thrown 93.0 innings with 22 strikeouts and 10 complete games. As a team, WVU Tech owns a 6.25 ERA and a 2.05 WHIP.
What's Next
WVU Tech returns home Friday, April 17, for a River States Conference doubleheader against Indiana University Southeast at Fitzpatrick Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM, followed by game two at 3:00 PM.
