WISE - - History was made at Cavalier Field Sunday as UVA Wise entertained Concord in a non-conference softball doubleheader. The games marked the first time softball had been played on turf at UVA Wise and the new surface paid immediate dividends as the two schools played game two with steady rains falling from the sky. The visiting Mountain Lions spoiled the opening day party by sweeping the doubleheader by scores of 8-6 and 6-5.

Game One

Concord (3-1) never trailed in the opener as the Mountain Lions led 7-1 after four innings of play. Jolie Privett had a pair of run-scoring hits in the early going while Lewis Lacie belted a two-run homer to stake the guests to the early lead.

UVA Wise (4-4) began battling back in the fifth frame as Sarah Barrett stole home on the back end of a double steal that saw Brie Frazier swipe second base. Frazier would later score on an Abagail Mills double that cut the deficit to 7-3 moving to the sixth.

A solo homer from Madison Hollis extended the Concord lead to 8-3 but, Bayleigh Allison would retire the next three hitters to get UVA Wise back to the bat rack.

The Cavs' offense responded with a two-run double off the bat of Kara Long. The double was part of a game that saw the shortstop reach base safely three times thanks to also being hit twice by a pair of pitches.

Trailing 8-5, the Cavs put up one final threat in the home seventh. Mallory McKnight doubled to lead off the inning and two hitters later scored on an RBI single from Savannah Johnson. It would be as close as the hosts would get as Josi Ervin would retire the next two batters to preserve the win for the Mountain Lions.

Concord outhit UVA Wise 10-to-9 in the game with Hollis, Privett and Courtney Raines lining two hits each. The Cavs were led by Brie Frazier and McKnight who had two hits apiece.

Hollis earned the win in the circle (2-0) as she surrendered three runs (two earned) over 4 1/3 innings of work. Hollis fanned three and walked two to remain unbeaten in the early season.

Jillian Jones (1-2) took the loss as she gave up seven runs (six earned) over 3 2/3 innings. Jones struck out five and walked two over her 87-pitch effort.

Game Two

UVA Wise jumped out on top 3-0 after an inning of play in the finale. McKnight lifted a sacrifice fly to centerfield before Kaylynn Baker lined a two-run single plating Long and Frazier.

Privett would get Concord on the board in the visiting portion of the second inning with a solo homer right center.

The score would remain unchanged until the top of the fifth when Lewis tied the game with a two-run blast to right field. The Mountain Lions would eventually take a lead they would not relinquish in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Raines.

In the sixth inning, Concord extended its lead to three runs as Kassidy Garvey hit a solo homer and Lewis doubled in a run.

McKnight would get the Cavs back within a run with a two-run homer in the home sixth.

After Savannah Paul fanned a pair in the top of the seventh, UVA Wise came to bat in the home seventh trailing by a run.

Adyson Gibson would work a one-out walk but the freshman would be stranded as Concord completed the sweep.

Nancy Jo Roberts earned the win in the circle by tossing a complete game five-hitter. Roberts danced around nine walks to improve her record to 1-1 on the season.

Alivia Nolley took the loss (1-1) as she allowed four runs (three earned) over 4 1/3 innings of work. Nolley allowed six hits and fanned two in the contest.

Long saw her hitting streak snapped in the loss but the senior still reached base safely three times, walking twice and once being hit by a pitch.

Lewis led all players with three hits in the win as Concord evened the all-time series with UVA Wise since UVA Wise joined NCAA Division II at 15 wins each.

Next Up – UVA Wise will be back in action next Sunday at West Virginia State in a doubleheader.