STROUDSBURG, Pa. – The West Virginia Wesleyan Softball team won the first elimination game of the day against Bowie State, 9-1, to stay alive in the Atlantic Regional Tournament. The Bobcats recorded 12 hits and used a complete game from Hannah Hudson to advance to the second elimination game of the day against West Chester.

The Bulldogs made quick work of the Bobcats in the top of the 1^st as the CIAA Player of the Year Lindsey George threw just five pitches to get the first three outs of the game. After Hannah Hudson sat BSU down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 1^st, Andie Dizon walked and got to second on a wild pitch to start the top of the 2^nd.

From there, Kiley Turner would hit a fly ball to center but the centerfielder had trouble bringing it in, allowing Dizon to score from second. Grace Smith extended the Bobcat lead to 2-0 with a single to left, bringing Turner home. With runners at second and third, Bowie State forced a popup to the infield to keep the deficit at two. The Bulldogs led the bottom of the 2^nd with a double, leaving her stranded with Hudson getting out of the inning unscathed.

Taylor Swartz walked and stole second to lead off the 3^rd inning, eventually scoring a few pitches later on a Morgan Norris double down the left field line. The Bobcats couldn't score anymore runs on the quick offense in the inning as three-straight outs closed the book on the top of the 3^rd. Hudson allowed a two out single but Kiley Turner gunned her down trying to steal second to end the frame.

Wesleyan put together two out offense in the top of the 4^th, placing runners at first and second on an infield single and HBP. Taylor Swartz ripped one right at the shortstop, ending the scoring opportunity for the 'Cats. Hudson allowed just a single in the bottom half of the 4^th, keeping the Bobcat lead at 3-0. The lead wouldn't stay at three much longer as Morgan Norris singled and Andie Dizon hit a huge 2-run HR to extend the lead to 5-0 in the top of the 5^th.

Bowie State played small ball to get their first run of the game in the bottom of the 5^th, leading the inning off with a single and bunting her over to second. A wild pitch allowed the runner to advance to third and she would score on a groundout to second, cutting the Bobcat lead to four. Alyssa Souders recorded her second hit of the game with a single to start the top half of the 6^th. Souders then stole second, putting herself in scoring position for the top of the lineup.

Hallie Dinklocker advanced Souders over to third by slapping a grounder in the infield. Taylor Swartz hit a flyball to right but it wouldn't be deep enough to score Souders as she stayed at third. Morgan Norris made sure the Bobcats didn't leave without a run, ripping a single up the middle to put the lead back at five runs. With Hudson putting together another strong inning in the bottom of the 6^th, Wesleyan came out with three consecutive singles in the top of the 7^th, including Shelby Keenedy's RBI single up the middle to extend the lead to 7-1. An error by the Bulldogs shortstop allowed Kennedy to score and Hallie Dinklocker slapped one down the left field line, making it 9-1 going into Bowie State's final three outs. Hudson finished her complete game in the bottom of the 7^th as the Bobcats won 9-1 to stay alive.

Kayla Evans had two hits on the day and Shayna Gordon had the lone RBI for the Bulldogs. Lindsey George took the loss after six innings of work, giving up six runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks.

Morgan Norris was 3-4 with 2 RBI to lead the Bobcats. Kiley Turner picked up two hits as well and Andie Dizon had 2 RBI to aid the Wesleyan offense. Hannah Hudson pitched another complete game, allowing just one run (earned) on six hits while striking out five.

Up Next For The Bobcats
Wesleyan advances to take on West Chester at 4 p.m. today for a shot at the Championship Round.