BECKLEY, W.Va. — WVU Tech softball continued River States Conference play Friday at Fitzpatrick Park, battling throughout a doubleheader against Indiana University Southeast. The Golden Bears dropped both contests by scores of 10-4 and 10-1 (5 inn.), moving to 8-26 overall and 6-24 in conference play.
Game 1
Indiana Southeast 10, WVU Tech 4
WVU Tech showed resilience in the opener, continuing to compete offensively and capitalize on opportunities late in the game.
After IU Southeast built an early lead, the Golden Bears responded in the fifth inning. Ashleigh James and Mia Valenzuela reached on errors before Meghan Gill executed a bunt that led to two runs scoring. Kaylee Waddell followed with an RBI double as Tech trimmed the deficit to 7-3.
The Golden Bears added another run in the sixth when Hailea Skeens singled and later scored on an RBI base hit from Tori Wells. WVU Tech finished with six hits in the contest, highlighted by a strong performance from Waddell, who recorded two doubles, while Skeens added a pair of hits at the top of the lineup.
In the circle, Gill went the distance for the Golden Bears, working all 7.0 innings and continuing to shoulder a major workload for Tech. She finished with 132 pitches, struck out two and battled through traffic while keeping WVU Tech in the game long enough for the offense to chip away in the middle innings.
Golden Bear Highlights
- Hailea Skeens: 2-for-4, run scored
- Kaylee Waddell: 2-for-3, 2 doubles, RBI
- Tori Wells: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 stolen bases
- Peyton Hudnall: 1-for-3, walk, stolen base
- Meghan Gill: 7.0 IP, 15 hits, 10 runs, 2 strikeouts
Game 2
Indiana Southeast 10, WVU Tech 1 (5 inn.)
WVU Tech came out aggressive in game two, answering early to tie the game in the first inning.
Peyton Hudnall worked a leadoff walk, advanced into scoring position and came around to score on an RBI play from Olivia Barnett to even the game at 1-1.
The Golden Bears continued to battle offensively, collecting three hits in the contest, including singles from Mia Valenzuela, Meghan Gill and Chloe Bert. Tech also applied pressure on the bases late, with Gill and Bert each recording stolen bases as the Golden Bears continued to compete through the final inning.
Scott worked all 5.0 innings in the circle for WVU Tech and continued to carry a heavy role in the pitching staff. She scattered 15 hits across the outing, struck out one and battled through a demanding middle stretch as Indiana Southeast used a five-run second and four-run third to seize control.
Golden Bear Highlights
Season Leaders
Through 34 games, Hailea Skeens leads WVU Tech with a .429 batting average, totaling 45 hits, nine doubles and 26 runs scored. Olivia Barnett has recorded 40 hits, including 10 doubles, three triples and two home runs with a team-best 20 RBIs.
Tori Wells has added 28 hits, 16 RBIs and a team-high 14 stolen bases, while Peyton Hudnall has scored 20 runs with 27 hits and 12 stolen bases.
In the circle, Taylor Scott has logged 105.0 innings with 39 strikeouts and 15 complete games, while Meghan Gill has added 100.0 innings with 24 strikeouts and 11 complete games.
What's Next
WVU Tech returns to action Saturday, April 18, hosting Brescia University for a River States Conference doubleheader at Fitzpatrick Park. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM, followed by game two at 2:00 PM.
