MARS HILL, N.C. — UVA Wise ended the regular season on a high note with a doubleheader sweep over Mars Hill by scores of 3-1 and 6-4 during the season finale on Friday, April 21.

In game one, McKenna Falwell sparked Cavalier scoring with an RBI single to left field to get her squad on the board in the first. Not only did she aid the Cavaliers from the box — she aided the Cavaliers from the circle as she swiped nine strikeouts to pace the defense.

The first inning didn't end with Falwell — Mallory McKnight kept the scoring going as she poked a single through the left side to push another run home to get a 2-0 lead before the Lions (18-25, 6-18 SAC) could retire the side.

Falwell and the Cavaliers (11-31, 6-18 SAC) would swipe three immediate outs from Mars Hill and would get their bats revved up once again in the top of the second. Back-to-back walks drawn from Brie Frazier and Sarah Barrett would set up the perfect scenario for historic UVA Wise slugger Kara Long as she pushed an RBI single to left center to give the Cavaliers a 3-0 advantage. The Cavaliers would juice the bases but Lions pitcher Alyssa Posson would finagle her way out of the jam.

The Lions would finally put a run on the board in the bottom of the third after putting runners on the corners. Katie Todd would reach on a fielder's choice and a Lion would squeeze on home to cut their lead to two runs — but it would be their only run of the game. UVA Wise wouldn't put another run on the board, but would finish the Lions off in the bottom of the seventh with three consecutive strikeouts from Falwell in a perfect way to end the senior's Cavalier career.

In game two, Falwell was the spark for the Cavaliers once again as she led the third inning with an RBI double. Mars Hill responded much earlier in game two as Presley Dancy singled through the left side to score a run to tie it even at 1-1.

A Cavalier error would prove costly in the fifth inning as another Mars Hill run would pass the plate for a 2-1 edge. Alivia Nolley recovered quickly, striking out the final batter of the inning to give the Cavaliers their bats back.

The Cavaliers made their mark in the top of the sixth. After loading the bases, Abagail Mills poked an RBI single through the left side to score McKnight; putting the score at 2-2. Sarah Barrett soon made some noise — as she smashed a grand slam to put the Cavaliers up 6-2.

Mars Hill would gain two of their runs back in the bottom of the inning with an Abby Gatch two-run homer, but Nolley would finish the game off with a strikeout in the bottom of the seventh to send the Lions home.

Falwell finished game one with nine strikeouts, while Nolley finished with five in the circle in game two.

Barrett finished the day with four hits and four RBI to lead the Cavaliers.
 

UVA Wise finished the 2023 season with an 11-31 overall record and a 6-18 conference record.