LOCK HAVEN, Pa.- The West Chester University softball team (14-5, 2-2) picked up its second split of PSAC East play against Lock Haven (9-7, 3-3) on Saturday afternoon. West Chester rolled to an 18-2 victory in game one on 14 hits before dropping the nightcap by a 3-2 final.
Game One: WCU 18 LHU 2
WP:
Makenzie Edwards (6-2)
LP: Abby Robertson (1-3)
West Chester scored five runs in the first inning on four hits, including an RBI single by
Casey Best (Wilmington, Del./Concord) along with, a bases-clearing RBI double by
Gianna Liciardello () along with an RBI groundout from
Lauryn Kane (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth Whitemarsh) to take a 5-0 lead into the second inning.
After a scoreless second inning, West Chester scored four runs on three hits, including a two-RBI single by
Julia Miller (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown), an RBI double by
Danielle Ciliberto (Ambler, Pa./Wissahickon), and a bases-loaded sac fly by Liciardello to carry a commanding 9-0 lead into the fourth.
Ciliberto stretched the lead to 10-1 in the fourth inning with an RBI single to right center before scoring eight runs on six hits in the fifth, including a three-run home run by
Sabrie Purnell (New Castle, Del./William Penn), which stretched the lead to 18-1 with two outs in the fifth. West Chester also got a bases-loaded walk from
Ella Heap (York, Pa./Central York), a hit-by-pitch of
Holly Muni (Hamilton, N.J./Allentown), an RBI fielder's choice from
Hailey Melvin (Tabernacle, N.J./Seneca) and a sac fly from
Paige Butland (Wakefield, Ma./Wakefield) to hold a commanding 17-run lead into the home half of the fifth.
Makenzie Edwards (Atco, N.J./Hammonton) was sharp for West Chester, allowing just two runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out five in the five-inning victory.
Abby Robertson suffered the loss for Lock Haven allowing nine runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out one in three innings of work. Rudy Sherman worked 1.2 in relief, allowing nine runs on seven hits as well in the setback.
Game Two: LHU 3 WCU 2
WP: Talia Ross (4-3)
LP: Danielle Ciliberto (6-3)
West Chester jumped out to an early two-run lead with a solo home run to right-center in the second before Best doubled the lead in the third with a double to center, which stretched the lead to 2-0.
Lock Haven answered with three runs on three hits, including back-to-back home runs to take a 3-2 lead heading into the fifth.
West Chester tried to mount a comeback late in the game but managed only one runner in the fifth and another in the sixth, being held hitless over the final three innings in the game-two setback.
Ciliberto suffered the loss, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out two. Edwards entered and worked three scoreless innings in relief, striking out a pair in the setback.
Ross pitched a complete game for Lock Haven, allowing just two runs on seven hits while striking out seven.
Best was a team-best 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in the setback.
Up Next
West Chester will be back in action on Sunday afternoon at Jefferson beginning at 1 p.m.
