WISE - - Senior Taylor Brandts pitched the third no-hitter of her career as the right-hander allowed just three base runners while striking out 12 in UVa-Wise's 5-0 win over West Liberty in game one of a doubleheader. The King George, Va. native came back in game two to fire two innings of shutout relief to earn her third save of the season as the Cavaliers claimed the sweep with a 7-5 victory.

UVa-Wise (19-11, 8-6 MEC) got on the board when sophomore Nikki Smith stopped a string of eight consecutive hitters being retired via strikeout by belting a solo homer to left field.

Smith's homer would be all Brandts would need as she allowed just three walks en route to pitching the third no-hitter of her career and the first of her senior season.

West Liberty's (10-12, 4-8 MEC) Katie Beeman reached with a one-out walk in the second inning but was quickly erased when she was thrown out trying to steal. It would be the Hilltoppers final base runner until the fifth inning when Beeman once again walked with one out.

This time, Brandts would induce a ground out before striking out Kaitlin Stress to end the threat, it would be the only time in the game the visitors put a runner on a second base.

UVa-Wise would put the game out of reach with three runs in the home half of the inning as Smith knocked her second home run of the game, a three-run shot, over the left field wall, scoring Ava Hockey and Bridget Henzel.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, Zoe Millard would hit an RBI single up the middle to score Kaylee Jones and give the Cavs a 5-0 lead.

West Liberty would get a lead off walk in the top of the seventh but, after a strike out and a fielder's choice, Brandts stood just one out away from the no-hitter.

Down five runs, the Hilltoppers attempted to steal second base only to see Henzel throw out the would-be base stealer to give her battery mate her third career no-hitter.

With the win, Brandts improved to 10-5 on the season inside the circle.

Smith shined in game one as she went 2-for-2 with two runs, four RBI and a pair of homers.

West Liberty's Mackenzie Amend fell to 6-3 with the loss as she allowed four runs on three hits in five innings.

The Hilltoppers got on the board early in game two with a RBI single by Allie Cook scoring Beeman to put West Liberty ahead in the top of the first.

The Cavs would take the lead in the home half of the second to go up 4-1 over West Liberty when Alexis Miles blasted the first grand slam of her collegiate career to center field.

West Liberty would respond in the top of the third with a trio of runs. Beeman singled to left field before Katie Higginbotham doubled to advance Beeman to third. Kat Donzella would score Beeman and Higginbotham on a three-run homer to knot the game at 4-4.

Hockey got things going again for the Cavs in the bottom of the fourth with a single to left center field. Smith would follow with a single, placing runners on first and second for the Cavs. A sacrifice bunt by Creasey would advance Smith to second and Hockey to third to put UVa-Wise in scoring position. Miles then doubled in Smith and Hockey for a 6-4 lead.

The Hilltoppers would get a run across again in the top of the fifth with home run off the bat of Donzella to make it a one-run game.

At that point, Brandts came out of the bullpen to try to record the save. She would allow a leadoff single before retiring the next three hitters to send the game to the home sixth with her team holding a one-run advantage.

Ely would provide an insurance run for UVa-Wise in the home sixth with a solo homer, her team-leading fourth of the season, to make it a 7-5 game.

West Liberty would go three up, three down in the top of the seventh inning as the Cavs earned a doubleheader sweep.

Miles was 2-for-4 with six RBI, Ely went 2-for-3 with the solo home run, while Hockey and Smith each had two runs in the win.

Raychel Lapallo (5-1) collected the win, allowing a run on two hits with a strikeout in 2 2/3 innings of relief.

Taylor Brandts earned her third save of the season as she gave up just one hit and fanned three in two innings.

West Liberty's Taylor Wright (1-3) took the loss as she allowed five runs on three hits in three innings of work.

UVa-Wise will return to action tomorrow to take on Wheeling Jesuit in a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m. at Cavalier Field.