WISE – The UVA Wise softball team celebrated their 2026 home opener with a pair of wins over Ferrum Tuesday afternoon on the Bill Gatton Field. They overcame a slow start to take game one 3-1, and rallied back in game two to take the 5-2 win over the Panthers.
These games are the first two of 30 home games scheduled this season, with twelve being South Atlantic Conference games.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result Game 1 – UVA Wise 3, Ferrum 1
Result Game 2 – UVA Wise 5, Ferrum 2
Records: UVA Wise (4-2); Ferrum (0-2)
Location: Wise, VA | Bill Gatton Field
GAME ONE - UVA Wise 3, Ferrum 1
- UVA Wise opened their 2026 home season with a 3-1 victory over Ferrum Tuesday at Bill Gatton Field.
Olivia Shockley pitched a complete game, allowing just three hits while striking out seven to lead UVA Wise to the win.
- UVA Wise secured a 3-1 victory over Ferrum, showcasing strong defensive play and timely offense. The game remained scoreless through the first three innings, with both teams unable to capitalize on early opportunities. In the fourth inning,
Taylor Clay walked and later scored for the Cavaliers, breaking the deadlock and giving the Cavs a 1-0 lead. The fifth inning saw
Adyson Gibson draw a walk and score on a passed ball, followed by
Lindsey Polan scoring on a throwing error, extending the lead to 3-0. The Panthers responded in the sixth inning with a double from L. Garrett that drove in a run, narrowing the gap to 3-1. However, pitcher
Olivia Shockley's complete game effort, featuring seven strikeouts, held Ferrum scoreless in the final inning, securing the win for the Highland Cavaliers.
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Olivia Shockley pitched a complete game, leading the Cavs in a strong performance against the Panthers. Shockley allowed only three hits and one earned run over 7 innings, striking out seven batters. Despite issuing six walks, she managed to keep the Panthers from capitalizing, inducing six groundouts and four flyouts. Shockley's effort was instrumental in securing her second win of the season, bringing her record to 2-0.
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Lindsey Polan contributed with two hits and scored one run in her three at-bats.
Kaylynn Baker added a double and drove in one run, finishing with one hit in three at-bats.
Adyson Gibson recorded one hit, scored one run, and drew one walk in her two official at-bats.
GAME TWO - UVA Wise 5, Ferrum 2
- UVA Wise secured a 5-2 victory over Ferrum as the Cavs were powered by a three-run third inning and a seven-hit performance while holding Ferrum to six hits across seven innings.
- UVA Wise and Ferrum were tied 1-1 after the first inning. In their half of the inning following Ferrum's score.
Adyson Gibson's leadoff triple set up
Taylor Clay, who singled to bring Gibson home and level the score. In the third inning, UVA Wise took command with three runs.
Savannah Johnson singled and was replaced by pinch runner
Sophie Easterly, who advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on another hit by Clay, giving the Cavaliers a 2-1 lead. Gibson, who walked earlier, scored on a sacrifice fly by
Kaylynn Baker, and Clay later crossed home on a wild pitch, increasing the lead to 4-1 after the third inning.
- Ferrum was unable to capitalize on base runners in the fourth and fifth innings, leaving two on base in each. Meanwhile, the Cavs added another run in the sixth.
Taylor Noe, who singled earlier, scored on a wild pitch, extending the Highland Cavaliers' lead to 5-1. In the final inning, the Panthers managed to score once more, but it was not enough. The game concluded with a 5-2 victory for UVA Wise.
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Bayleigh Allison pitched 4 innings for the Cavaliers, allowing 4 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 4 batters. Allison secured the win, navigating through 18 batters with 72 pitches, 48 of which were strikes.
Chloe Murphy entered in relief, pitching 3 innings, giving up 2 hits and 1 earned run, and recording 6 strikeouts. Murphy earned the save, throwing 68 pitches and maintaining dishing out 42 strikes.
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Adyson Gibson scored two runs and added a triple, demonstrating her ability to contribute offensively.
Taylor Clay collected two hits and drove in two runs, playing a key role in the team's scoring efforts.
GETTING WISE
- This was the first meeting between the two schools since the 2009 season, and the first time Ferrum has played in Wise.
- This was Ferrum's inaugural game as a member of the NCAA Division II. The Panthers were previously in NCAA Division II from 1985-2025.
- The was the 235th win on Bill Gatton Field/Cavalier Field, dating back to February 25, 2005. The Cavs are now 235-157 on the field. Ferrum will be back in town on Feb. 21 and 22 playing UVA Wise and Virginia State. If all games scheduled between now and then go on as planned, the matchup between UVA Wise and Ferrum on Feb. 22 will be their 400th game on the field.
UP NEXT
The Cavs will host Cedarville and Charleston in a series of weekend games where each team will play the other twice. UVA Wise and Cedarville will play Friday at noon, followed by UVA Wise and Charleston at 2 p.m. Cedarville and Charleston will play at 4 p.m.
