ATHENS, W.Va. – UVa-Wise softball was handed two low-scoring Mountain East Conference losses Tuesday afternoon at Concord University in Athens, West Virginia. The visiting Cavaliers (15-11, 6-4 MEC) were defeated 1-0 in a pitcher's duel in game one before being shutout 2-0 in the second game of the afternoon. The host Mountain Lions (16-18, 5-5 MEC) were held to just eight combined hits in the two games but scored three runs as UVa-Wise tallied nine hits with no runs.
 
Junior right-handed pitcher Taylor Brandts (King George, Va.) gave up only three hits in the first game of the day and had a no-hitter through four and a half innings before Concord collected its first hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth. The Cavs lined four hits in the game but left seven runners stranded.
 
Two of UVa-Wise's hits came in the top of the first inning but the Cavs left both runners on before grabbing another single in the top of the third. The Mountain Lions left three runners stranded in the bottom of the second after loading the bases off of a pair of walks and a hit by pitch. The game's lone run came in the bottom of the sixth when Concord pinch hitter Lindsey Stahl homered down the left field line on a 1-2 pitch. Other than a walk, UVa-Wise couldn't get anything going in the top of the seventh, making the 1-0 score final.
 
Sophomore left fielder Shannon Bennett (Covington, Va.) finished the game with a double and freshman shortstop Nikki Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) was walked twice. Taylor Brandts (7-5) tossed a complete game and struck out one to take the loss for the Cavs. The Mountain Lions' right-hander Sarah Herndon (3-6) pitched all seven innings to pick up the win after tying her career high with nine strikeouts.
 
Both teams registered five hits in game two but UVa-Wise left six on base. Concord was aided by the Cavs to score its first run of the game and earned the second on a RBI single.
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Mountain Lions' second baseman Jenna Witt scored an unearned run from second base on a UVa-Wise throwing error. The Cavs got runners in the corners in the top of the third but could not bring anybody across home plate. Concord scored its second run in the bottom of the fifth when shortstop Alayna Furr singled up the middle, allowing Stahl to score from second. UVa-Wise had runners in the corners and only one out once again in the top of the seventh but a popup and a ground out ended the game.
 
Freshman second baseman Alexis Sheehan (King George, Va.), junior third baseman Samantha Ely (Jonesville, Va.) and junior first baseman Monica Brandts (King George, Va.) each went 1-for-2 at the plate with a walk. The Mountain Lions' Furr finished the game 2-for-3 with a RBI.
 
Senior right-handed pitcher Emily Kale (Shelby, N.C.) struck out three and didn't give up a walk or hit by pitch but took her first loss of the season after six innings inside the circle. Allie Reid (6-7) earned the complete game win for the Mountain Lions after striking out five.
 
The Cavs continue their six-game road trip Saturday, April 1, with a doubleheader at West Virginia State. First pitch of game one is slated for 2 p.m. UVa-Wise swept the Yellow Jackets in Wise just 10 days ago on March 19.
 
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