Bobcats Triumph in Extra-Inning Thriller Against Converse University
 
In a dramatic season opener on January 31, the West Virginia Wesleyan College Bobcats secured a 4-2 victory over Converse University in a 10-inning showdown at Tyger River Park in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
 
The Bobcats initiated the scoring in the third inning, with catcher Andie Dizon delivering a sacrifice fly to bring in the first run. Converse responded in the fourth, leveling the score at 1-1.
 
The game remained deadlocked, with both teams adding a run in the eighth inning, pushing the score to 2-2. In the top of the tenth, the Bobcats capitalized on a wild pitch, allowing Dizon to score the go-ahead run. Shortstop Gracey Arnold extended the lead with a sacrifice fly, bringing the score to 4-2.
 
Pitcher Kendall Stoffel was instrumental in the Bobcats' victory, pitching a complete game over 10 innings. She allowed six hits and two runs while striking out 12 batters.
 
Offensively, the Bobcats amassed 10 hits, with center fielder Alyssa Rohr and Dizon each contributing two hits. The team's aggressive base running and timely hitting were pivotal in securing the win.
 
 
Bobcats Shut Out by Lynn University
 
In the second game on January 31, the Bobcats suffered an 11-0 defeat to Lynn University at Tyger River Park.
 
Lynn's offense ignited in the second inning, scoring three runs, and continued to apply pressure throughout the game. The Fighting Knights added two runs in the fifth and capped their performance with a six-run surge in the seventh inning, amassing a total of 11 runs on nine hits.
 
Bobcats' starting pitcher, Josi Fix, took the loss, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing three earned runs on four hits. Relievers Morgan Greene and Kelsi Brown provided middle-inning support, with Greene pitching three innings and Brown contributing 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.
 
Offensively, the Bobcats managed four hits but were unable to convert these opportunities into runs. Second baseman Lynzee Hague, catcher Ella Fournier, shortstop Gracey Arnold, and first baseman Andie Dizon each recorded a hit. Despite these efforts, the team struggled to string together hits to challenge Lynn's defense.
 
Lynn's pitcher, M. Prickett, delivered a dominant performance, pitching a complete game shutout with five strikeouts and no walks over seven innings.
 
 
Bobcats' Offense Dominates in Victory Over Erskine College
 
On February 1, the Bobcats delivered an impressive offensive performance, defeating Erskine College 15-4 at Tyger River Park.
 
The Bobcats wasted no time, scoring two runs in the first inning, followed by three in the second and four in the third, establishing a commanding 9-1 lead. After a scoreless fourth inning, the 'Cats added another run in the fifth and sealed the game with a five-run sixth inning.
 
Offensively, the Bobcats amassed 12 hits, capitalizing on Erskine's two defensive errors. Their aggressive base running and timely hitting were pivotal in building and maintaining their lead.
 
Pitcher Morgan Greene earned the win, improving her record to 1-0. She effectively managed Erskine's lineup, supported by solid defense throughout the game.
 
Erskine scored a single run in the second inning and attempted a comeback with three runs in the fifth, but the Bobcats' substantial lead proved insurmountable.
 
This victory advances the Bobcats to a 2-1 record for the season, while Erskine starts their campaign at 0-1.
 
 
Bobcats' Late Surge Insufficient in 6-4 Loss to Limestone University
 
On February 1 at Tyger River Park, the Wesleyan faced Limestone University, falling 6-4 despite a spirited late-game rally.
 
The Bobcats initiated the scoring in the first inning. First baseman Andie Dizon led the offense with a single, eventually scoring to give Wesleyan an early 1-0 lead.
 
Limestone responded emphatically in the bottom of the second inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues to score six unearned runs. Center fielder Tayler Jenkins and shortstop Faith Callaway each contributed two RBIs during this surge, propelling the Saints to a 6-1 advantage.
 
Wesleyan's offense remained subdued until the top of the seventh inning. Designated player Ella Fournier and shortstop Gracey Arnold each delivered two hits, with Arnold driving in two runs to narrow the deficit. Right fielder Sam Carlin added an RBI, bringing the Bobcats within two runs. However, Limestone's pitcher, Chelsey Stonesifer, managed to quell the rally, securing the complete-game victory.
 
On the pitching side, Bobcats' starter Josi Fix (0-2) was charged with the loss, allowing six unearned runs over 1.2 innings. Reliever Kelsi Brown provided stability from the bullpen, pitching 4.1 scoreless innings and striking out four, keeping the game within reach for Wesleyan.
 
Despite the defeat, the Bobcats showcased resilience and offensive potential, particularly in their late-inning efforts.
 
 
Bobcats' Late Rally Falls Short Against King University
 
On Sunday at Tyger River Park, the Bobcats faced King University in a tightly contested game, ultimately falling 7-5.
 
King University seized an early advantage, scoring two runs in the first inning and adding another in the third, establishing a 3-0 lead. The Bobcats responded in the bottom of the third inning when catcher Andie Dizon delivered a crucial RBI, narrowing the deficit to 3-1.
 
In the fifth inning, the Bobcats continued to chip away at the lead. Center fielder Alyssa Rohr showcased her speed and base-running acumen, eventually scoring to bring the Bobcats within one run at 3-2.
 
The seventh inning proved pivotal. King University extended their lead with a four-run outburst, making it 7-2. Undeterred, the Bobcats mounted a spirited comeback in the bottom half of the inning. Second baseman Lynzee Hague ignited the rally with a timely hit, and shortstop Gracey Arnold followed with a two-RBI double, bringing the score to 7-5. Despite the late surge, the Bobcats' rally fell just short.
 
Offensively, the Bobcats tallied six hits, with notable contributions from Dizon, Rohr, Hague, and Arnold. Defensively, the team committed two errors, which proved costly in the closely contested game.
 
Pitcher Kendall Stoffel started for the Bobcats, delivering three innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits while striking out two. Morgan Greene provided middle relief, pitching 3.1 innings and yielding four runs (three earned) on four hits, with three strikeouts. Kelsi Brown closed the game, recording the final two outs without allowing a hit.
 
King University's pitcher, S. Luper, earned the win, pitching five innings and allowing one unearned run on two hits, with two strikeouts.
 
 
Bobcats Fall to Lynn University, 6-1
 
The West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats fell 6-1 to Lynn University in the final game of the weekend tournament at Converse. The Bobcats' only score came in the sixth inning when Gracey Arnold drove in a run. Despite solid performances from Arnold, who went 2-for-3, and designated player Ella Fournier, who also had a hit, the team struggled to generate offense against Lynn's pitcher  K. Zazzali, who pitched a complete game. Kelsi Brown (0-1) took the loss for Wesleyan, allowing six runs over six innings.