TROUTVILLE, Va. – The UVa-Wise softball team pulled off a big upset in the first round of the Mountain East Conference Tournament, defeating MEC North division No. 1 seed Shepherd University 8-1 Friday afternoon at the Botetourt Sports Complex in Troutville, Virginia. The fourth-seeded Cavaliers (26-28, 15-17 MEC) in the MEC South division, scored eight runs in 13 hits and used some great defensive plays to top the Rams (33-15, 24-7 MEC).
 
Highlighted by senior second baseman Alexa Hernandez (Woodbridge, Va.) going 4-for-5 in her leadoff spot, the Cavs got five strikeouts and a complete game win from redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Taylor Brandts (King George, Va.). Hernandez scored three times and collected two RBI, while Brandts didn't give up an earned run in the victory to improve to 15-9 on the year.
 
A walk by sophomore third baseman Samantha Ely (Jonesville, Va.) in the top of the first inning was good for an RBI as Hernandez scored to give the Cavs a 1-0 lead. In the visiting portion of the second inning, the Cavs scored two more runs to take a 3-0 advantage. Hernandez got an RBI double to centerfield, scoring sophomore right fielder Zoe Millard (Glen Allen, Va.), before Hernandez reached home on a Ram error.
 
The Rams got their lone run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning when Kaitlin Munda hit a sacrifice fly for Paige Buckworth to score.
 
UVa-Wise scored four runs in the top of the fifth to distance themselves from Shepherd. An RBI single by freshman pinch hitter Jackie Yahner (Vienna, Va.) brought home senior shortstop Erika McLaughlin (Haymarket, Va.) before Hernandez singles down the left field line to score junior first baseman Olivia Cleary (Riner, Va.). The Cavs final two runs of the inning were scored by Hernandez and freshman center fielder Ava Hockey (Virginia Beach, Va.) when senior designated player Mindy Combs (Lebanon, Va.) hit a two RBI single through the left side.
 
In the top of the seventh it was sophomore catcher Bridget Henzel (Toano, Va.) who hit a RBI single through the left side, allowing Hockey to score her second run of the game and making it an 8-1 contest.
 
The Rams' Tara Hanson took the loss for Shepherd inside the circle after 1 1/3 innings pitched and three strikeouts, dropping her season record to 10-8.
 
The Cavs will now take on 24th-ranked West Virginia Wesleyan in the MEC tournament second round tonight at 7:30 p. The Lady Bobcats are the No. 2 seed in the MEC South division.
 
UVa-Wise was swept by West Virginia Wesleyan in the regular season, losing both the home and away doubleheader. However, the Cavs lost two of those games by one run and dropped a 6-5 eight-inning decision in the two teams' last meeting.
 
Admission to the 2016 MEC Softball Tournament is $10 per day or $25 for a weekend pass, all students can receive a day pass for $5.
 
Complete tournament information, including the most up to date schedule, matchups and tournament bracket can be found by visiting mountianeast.org or by clicking on the link at the top of the page.
 
Visit uvawisecavs.com for all Cavalier softball news, statistics, complete schedule and more.