STROUDSBURG, Pa. – The West Virginia Wesleyan Softball team put together a late rally but would fall in the first round of the Atlantic Region Pod 1 Tournament to West Chester, 6-3. The Golden Rams scored all six of their runs in the first inning to make the comeback attempt even harder on the Bobcats.

West Chester sat the Bobcats down in order in the top of the 1^st as PSAC East Pitcher of the Year Daniella Ciliberto struck two of the three batters out. The Golden Rams came out swinging it hot, scoring six runs on six hits in the bottom of the 1^st. A single through the right side plated the first run of the game and consecutive wild pitches allowed WCU to make it 3-0. An RBI triple and 2-run HR completed the scoring for the Golden Ram half of the inning.

Abigail O'Shields was brought into the game during the 1^st inning and forced West Chester into a much quieter 2^nd inning, only allowing one hit and getting a strikeout. The Bobcats tallied their first hit of the game in the top of the 2^nd as Kaitlyn Rizor singled in the infield. Alyssa Rohr then singled in the infield as well on a dribbler down the first base line, putting runners at first and second with one out. Consecutive groundouts ended the scoring threat for Wesleyan.

Wesleyan struggled to get the ball out of the infield once again in the top of the 4^th until Alli Robinson ripped a single through the hole on the left side. She would be stranded with a groundout to the pitcher to finish out the inning. In the bottom of the 4^th, the Golden Rams threatened with a one out double to center but O'Shields was able to keep the score at 6-0 WCU.

Kaitlyn Rizor added to her hit total in the top of the 5^th, scorching a double to the right-center gap with one out. The Bobcats left empty-handed as consecutive strikeouts closed the book on the top half of the inning. After a quick bottom of the 5^th, Taylor Swartz led the top of the 6^th with a single to left. Morgan Norris then singled up the middle and Andie Dizon somehow found the hole between the shortstop and third baseman to bring Swartz home. Alli Robinson took a walk, loading the bases with no outs.

After a strikeout, Bella Posey was walked on a 3-2 count to cut it to 6-2. Kaitlyn Rizor reached on a fielder's choice as Bella Posey beat the throw to second and the 'Cats trimmed the West Chester lead in half. With the bases still loaded, the Golden Rams used a dribbler up the middle to step on second and throw to first to turn the double play and stop the Bobcats from scoring again in the inning. WCU threatened to add an insurance run in the bottom of the 6^th but Abigail O'Shields left the runner stranded with a strikeout.

Morgan Norris kept the Bobcats alive in the top of the 7^th with two outs on a single to left. Andie Dizon then singled in the infield, putting the tying run at the plate. Alli Robinson put a push into one to left field but it would die in front of the warning track as the Bobcats fell to West Chester, 6-3.

Three Golden Rams recorded two hits as Abigail Quinn led the way with 2 RBI. Meg Wolfe and Katelyn Rittenbaugh both had an RBI as well. Danielle Ciliberto started the game and then came back in to close it, picking up the win after throwing a total of 6.2 innings and giving up three runs (all earned) on nine hits and striking out four.

Morgan Norris and Andie Dizon finished the day with two hits apiece. Dizon, Bella Posey and Kaitlyn Rizor all closed out the game with an RBI. Kendall Stoffel was forced out of the game after just 0.2 innings, surrendering six runs (all earned) on five hits and one walk, taking the loss. Abigail O'Shields pitched 5.1 innings of relief, giving up no runs on six hits and striking out three.

Up Next For The Bobcats
Wesleyan will play the No. 8 seed Bowie State in an elimination game tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. With a win, the Bobcats would play the loser of East Stroudsburg and West Chester at 4 p.m. for a shot at the Regional Final.