BECKLEY, W.Va. — WVU Tech softball continued River States Conference play Friday at Fitzpatrick Park, battling Indiana University Columbus (14-12 overall) in a doubleheader. The Golden Bears fell 15-9 in the opener before pushing IU Columbus to the final out in a 3-2 decision in game two. WVU Tech now stands 6-18 overall and 4-16 in conference play.
Game 1
Indiana University Columbus 15, WVU Tech 9
WVU Tech showed plenty of fight in the opener, piling up 14 hits and erupting for seven runs in the sixth inning before adding two more in the seventh. The Golden Bears matched IU Columbus hit for hit, with both teams finishing with 14 hits.
After IU Columbus built an 8-0 lead, Tech answered with its biggest offensive inning of the day in the bottom of the sixth. Tori Wells and Kaylee Waddell opened the rally with singles before Ashleigh James drove in a run. Mia Valenzuela followed with an RBI single, Chloe Bert added another run-scoring hit, and Hailea Skeens delivered a two-run double later in the inning. Wells capped the surge with a two-run single as WVU Tech trimmed the margin to 8-7.
The Golden Bears kept battling in the seventh. Valenzuela singled, Skeens added another RBI hit, and Tech forced more pressure with aggressive baserunning and continued contact at the plate. Skeens finished with four hits, while Wells added three and both Valenzuela and Bert helped spark the comeback effort.
Golden Bear Highlights
- Hailea Skeens: 4-for-5, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs
- Tori Wells: 3-for-5, 2 RBIs, run scored, stolen base
- Mia Valenzuela: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 runs scored, stolen base
- Peyton Hudnall: 1-for-5, 2 runs scored, stolen base
- Ashleigh James: 1-for-4, RBI, run scored
- Chloe Bert: 1-for-4, RBI, run scored, 2 stolen bases
- Kaylee Waddell: 1-for-3, walk, run scored
Game 2
Indiana University Columbus 3, WVU Tech 2
WVU Tech turned in a strong all-around effort in game two, carrying a 2-0 lead into the fifth inning and staying within one run the rest of the way. Taylor Scott delivered a complete-game performance in the circle, allowing just three runs, two earned, on five hits over 7.0 innings.
The Golden Bears broke through in the third. Hailea Skeens singled, Olivia Barnett ripped an RBI triple to right field, and Tori Wells followed with a sacrifice fly to put Tech in front 2-0. WVU Tech continued to create chances throughout the game, collecting seven hits and putting runners aboard in multiple innings.
Peyton Hudnall finished with two hits at the top of the lineup, while Mia Valenzuela also recorded a two-hit game. Chloe Bert added a single in the sixth as the Golden Bears loaded the bases and threatened to tie or take the lead late. IU Columbus escaped the jam, but WVU Tech stayed competitive to the final inning against a team that entered the day above .500 overall.
Golden Bear Highlights
Season Leaders
Through 24 games, Hailea Skeens leads WVU Tech with a .425 batting average, adding 31 hits, nine doubles, 14 RBIs and 19 runs scored. Olivia Barnett is batting .408 with 29 hits, seven doubles, three triples, two home runs and a team-best 16 RBIs, while Tori Wells has contributed 20 hits, 12 RBIs and seven stolen bases. Peyton Hudnall has added 18 hits, 13 runs scored and seven stolen bases, and Kaylee Waddell has recorded 13 hits, eight RBIs and six stolen bases.
In the circle, Taylor Scott has logged 74.2 innings with 23 strikeouts and 10 complete games, while Meghan Gill has thrown 72.2 innings with 18 strikeouts and eight complete games. WVU Tech owns a 5.35 team ERA and a 2.00 WHIP, one of the stronger WHIP marks in the conference.
What's Next
WVU Tech returns to Fitzpatrick Park on Saturday, April 4, for a River States Conference doubleheader against Midway University. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM, followed by game two at 2:00 PM.
