Softball splits with WVU Tech in nonconference action

BECKLEY, W.V. (March 4, 2022) – The Point University softball team rounded out their spring break road series Friday afternoon, as they traveled to face WVU Tech in nonconference action and split with the Golden Bears, winning game one 9-8 before dropping game two 5-3.

Game one: Point- 9, WVU Tech- 8

The Golden Bears' bats came out hot in game one of Friday's doubleheader, as WVU Tech posted three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Point answered in the top of the third with back-to-back RBI singles from Devin Foster and Gabrielle Riley, bringing home Chelsea Parker, Meagan Pildner, and Foster. Haley Lyner followed Riley with a 2-run home run to help Point take the lead 5-3. Taylor Knight would help extend Point's lead with an RBI single to center field to score Asia Jones.

The Golden Bears got one run back in the bottom of the inning, but in the top of the sixth, Lyner connected for her second 2-run homer of the game to help extend Point's lead back out to four (8-4). The Golden Bears would cut into Point's lead in the bottom of the sixth before double to left field from Riley would score Pildner. Riley's RBI would prove to be the game-winning run, as WVU Tech rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh, but Mary Burnham was able to stop the Golden Bears from being able to do any more damage and help the Skyhawks to a game one victory.

The Skyhawks combined for 11 hits, with Riley, Lyner and Pildner accounting for two hits apiece. Riley recorded three RBI's and Lyner recorded four. Burnham got the start, but Ashlynn Hamm came in for relief and earned the win, going 6.0 innings, giving up 11 hits and five runs (all earned). Burnham returned in the bottom of the seventh and earned the save.

Game two: Point- 3, WVU Tech- 5

The Golden Bears once again got out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second. The Skyhawks got a run back in the top of the third off an RBI single from Riley that scored Pildner. WVU Tech answered back in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs to take a 5-1 lead. The Skyhawks were able to score a run in the top of the fourth of and in the top of the sixth with a home run from Knight in the fourth and a home run from Lyner in the sixth, but the Skyhawks were unable to add any more to the board and fell in game two.

Point combined for 10 hits, with Jones, Knight and Pildner each going 2-for-3.

Up next

Point will travel to Brewton-Parker on Tuesday, March 8, for a nonconference doubleheader, with first pitch of game one scheduled for 1 p.m. The Skyhawks will return home on Saturday, March 12, for an Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader with Bryan College.