STROUDSBURG, Pa. – The West Virginia Wesleyan Softball team used a huge five-run inning in the 4^th to defeat West Chester 6-4 in the second elimination game of the day in the Atlantic Regional tournament. The Bobcats were outhit 9-7 but the Golden Rams had four costly errors that helped WVWC take the win.

The Bobcats went down in order to begin the game and West Chester put up the first run of the game in the bottom of the 1^st, using three singles that nearly got by the Bobcat infield. Abigail O'Shields forced a popup to leave two runners stranded. In the top of the 2^nd, Kaitlyn Rizor walked and Grace Smith singled in the infield with two outs but a groundout to third ended the top half of the inning. O'Shields produced consecutive flyouts and a groundout in the bottom half as WCU led 1-0 after two innings of play.

Wesleyan would tie it up in the top of the 3^rd after Hallie Dinklocker got on from a fielder's choice and Taylor Swartz tripled to the left-center gap. With Swartz at third and one out, the Bobcats couldn't bring her in to take the lead as back-to-back outs in the infield closed out the top half of the inning. After a walk and a single, the Golden Rams were able to plate two runs on a blooper over Alli Robinson's head in the bottom of the 3^rd.

Alli Robinson then started the top of the 4^th with a single on the first pitch she saw but would be thrown out on an attempted sac bunt attempt by Kaitlyn Rizor. Grace Smith then took a four-pitch walk and Bella Posey was HBP to load the bases with one out. Alyssa Souders was walked, earning the RBI and cutting the Golden Ram lead to just one. Hallie Dinklocker slapped it to the pitcher, allowing WCU to throw it home for the force out. Taylor Swartz came through with a two out single up the middle to bring home two runs, taking the lead at 4-3. On the next play, Morgan Norris dribbled one up the middle that looked to be the final out of the inning but a bad throw to first scored one run and another errant throw over to third allowed Swartz to score, making it 6-3.

After Abigail O'Shields worked through her fourth inning of work, the Bobcats led the top of the 5^th off with back-to-back singles by Alli Robinson and Kaitlyn Rizor. Grace Smith advanced them to second and third on a dribbler to third, giving Wesleyan another opportunity to add to the lead. The runners were held after another groundout to third gave the WCU defense two outs and a strikeout in the dirt got the Golden Rams out of the jam. O'Shields found herself in a jam in the bottom of the 5^th as West Chester loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. The Golden Rams then took another walk, trimming the WVWC lead to 6-4. Hannah Hudson came in relief, getting a strikeout to keep the lead at two.

West Chester kept the Bobcats quiet in the top of the 6^th and led the bottom half of the inning off with a single up the middle. The Golden Rams made it even more interesting with runners at first and third with two outs. Hannah Hudson didn't let the runners phase her, getting out of the inning with a strikeout. The 'Cats went down quickly in the top of the 7^th, setting up the final at-bats for WCU. Hudson did walk a batter but that would be the most she would allow as the 'Cats won 6-4.

Madison Melvin was 3-4 with 3 RBI to lead West Chester and Katelyn Rittenbaugh added two hits as well. Antonia Browning took the loss after coming in during the five-run 4^th inning by the Bobcats, giving up two runs (one earned) on no hits, a walk and a HBP.

Taylor Swartz was phenomenal all game, going 2-4 with 3 RBI and making multiple big plays out in centerfield. Morgan Norris and Alyssa Souders also gathered an RBI each. Abigail O'Shields picked up the win after 4.2 innings of work, allowing four runs (earned) on seven hits and four walks. Hannah Hudson got the save, finishing the final 2.1 innings and striking out five.

Up Next For The Bobcats
Wesleyan advances to face East Stroudsburg in the Atlantic Regional Pod 1 Championship at 11 a.m. tomorrow. To win the pod, the Bobcats will need to defeat ESU twice.