WISE - - Softball dropped its conference doubleheader against West Virginia State Sunday afternoon. The Cavs were shutout in both games falling 10-0 to the Yellow Jackets in game one before dropping game two 6-0.
West Virginia State (10-5, 3-1 MEC) recorded its first hit of the game with a leadoff double in the top of the first. A sacrifice hit advanced the runner to third before an RBI ground out followed by a homer to center field put the Yellow Jackets on top of the Cavs (6-11, 1-3 MEC) 2-0 into the bottom of the frame.
Sophomore Alexis Miles got on base in the home half on a one-out single to left field but back-to-back ground outs left her stranded as the Cavs continued to trail West Virginia State.
Neither team pushed across a run in the second inning, but the Yellow Jackets jumped to a 7-0 advantage in the top of the third behind a five-run inning. A triple and walk put the Yellow Jackets in position to score with runners in the corners. West Virginia State sent home its first run of the inning on an RBI single before an RBI double plated one more. The Yellow Jackets tacked on three more runs to end the inning on top of the Cavs 6-0.
A hit by pitch in the bottom of the fourth placed Miles on base for the Cavs once again. A two-out single off the bat of senior Shannon Bennett put UVa-Wise in position to score, but a pop up to left field left the Cavs scoreless into the fourth with two left on base.
The Yellow Jackets plated their final three runs of the game on a three-RBI home run to right center field.
Another Miles' hit followed by a hit by pitch put runners on first and second once again, but the Cavs picked up their third out leaving runners stranded as West Virginia State earned the 10-0 game one win in five innings.
Bennett and junior Nikki Smith each recorded a hit while Miles went 2-for-2 at the plate.
The Yellow Jackets' Emily Moore improved to 3-1 with the win as she gave up four hits and walked one across five innings inside the circle.
Sophomore Kailyn Spencer fell to 3-4 with the loss, scattering seven hits with one strikeout.
Both teams recorded a hit in each the first two innings of game two, but neither would be able to get a run across with the game scoreless heading into the third.
The Yellow Jackets drove home three in the top of the inning on a two-RBI blast to left field before plating one more on an error for a 3-0 lead.
Holding onto their three run lead into the fifth, West Virginia State scored three more to take a 6-0 advantage.
Trailing by six into the bottom of the seventh, UVa-Wise put together a fighting effort to stay in the game. Miles' second walk of the day followed by pinch hitter Melissa Bartley's single to third base put runners on first and second. A one-out single off the bat of Smith loaded the bases for the Cavs, but back-to-back outs ended the game as the Yellow Jackets picked up the doubleheader sweep with a 6-0 game two victory.
West Virginia State's Kasey Murphy (2-2) earned the win for the Yellow Jackets as she fanned four and struck out one in a complete game effort.
Junior Raychel Lapallo (2-6) suffered the loss as she allowed 11 hits with one strike out in 4 1/3 innings inside the circle.
UVa-Wise will now travel to Bristol, Tenn. to take on King University for a nonconference doubleheader Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
