Buckhannon, W.Va. – In a high-scoring, error-laden Game 1, the Concord University Mountain Lions took a 12–7 victory over the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats, Sunday afternoon. Wesleyan responded with grit in Game 2 of the doubleheader, edging Concord 4–3 in a tightly contested battle that came down to the final at-bat.
Concord wasted no time flexing its offensive muscles. The Mountain Lions plated three runs in the top of the first, capitalizing on a Wesleyan error, a wild pitch, and timely RBI singles from shortstop Lacie Lewis and second baseman Courtney Raines.
Lewis also contributed three RBIs despite going just 1-for-3, with a sacrifice fly and a sacrifice hit highlighting her productive day.
Senior third baseman Kendall Morgan was electric from the leadoff spot, going 4-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI. She was also a constant threat on the basepaths, stealing two bases and keeping the defense on its heels all game.
Concord finished with 14 hits as a team, with six players registering multi-hit performances. Madison Hollis helped her own cause with a 3-for-5 showing at the plate, adding an RBI and scoring once.
After falling behind 12–1 by the middle of the fifth, Wesleyan mounted a five-run rally in the bottom half of the inning. The Bobcats took advantage of three Concord errors and an RBI single by Gracey Arnold, who went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
Catcher Andie Dizon also chipped in two hits and two RBIs, while designated player Josi Fix added a 2-run single during the outburst. But it wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit, and Wesleyan left five runners stranded in the final three innings.
After surrendering 12 runs in the opener, Wesleyan edged Concord 4–3 in a tightly contested Game 2 battle.
Freshman pitcher Morgan Greene delivered a complete-game performance for the Bobcats, scattering five hits and allowing just one earned run over seven efficient innings, helping her squad split the series in Buckhannon.
Greene and Concord starter Mahailey Nicholson were locked in a pitcher's duel through the first three innings, each keeping the opposing offense quiet. The Bobcats broke through in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run surge sparked by an Arnold double and an RBI single by pinch hitter Cortney Fizer. Fizer finished a perfect 2-for-2 with two RBIs off the bench, including a clutch double in the sixth.
Nicholson pitched effectively into the sixth inning, but defensive miscues and timely Bobcat hitting proved costly. She allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits over 5.1 innings, striking out four and walking none.
Concord scored twice in the fifth to tie the game 2–2. The rally was aided by two Wesleyan errors and capped off by a sacrifice fly from Morgan, who went 1-for-3 with a double and RBI.
After the Bobcats reclaimed the lead in the fifth with two unearned runs—courtesy of an RBI single from center fielder Alyssa Rohr and an error on a sharply hit grounder by Dizon—Concord threatened again in the seventh.
Catcher Gianna Sloan-Leb opened the inning with a single, and Gleason brought her home with an RBI single to make it 4–3. Morgan then doubled to deep left, but Gleason was gunned down at the plate on a perfectly executed relay to end the game in dramatic fashion.
The Bobcats head on the road to Davis & Elkins College Wednesday, Mar. 26 for a doubleheader with the Senators that starts at 2 p.m.
