WISE – The UVA Wise softball team opened up weekend games against Cedarville and Charleston Friday afternoon, downing Cedarville 9-0 in five innings before outlasting Charleston 11-10 later in the day.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result Game 1: UVA Wise 9, Cedarville 0 – 5 innings
Result Game 2: UVA Wise 11, Charleston 10
Records: UVA Wise (6-2); Cedarville (); Charleston (1-1)
Location: Wise, VA | Bill Gatton Field
GAME ONE – UVA Wise 9, Cedarville 0 – 5 innings
- UVA Wise registered 11 hits, including five doubles, while pitcher Angeline Branch threw a one-hit shutout, striking out six batters as the Cavs defeated Cedarville 9-0 in five innings.
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Adyson Gibson ignited the offense in the first inning with a double down the left field line.
Kaylynn Baker followed with an RBI double to center field, driving in Gibson.
Lindsey Polan added to the score with another RBI double, bringing Baker home. This early surge gave the Cavaliers a 2-0 lead after the first inning.
- In the third inning, the Highland Cavaliers extended their lead significantly with a five-run explosion. Gibson led off with a single, and
Taylor Clay doubled to bring her home. Baker continued the offensive momentum with an RBI single. Later in the inning, a combination of singles and strategic base running, including a sacrifice fly by
Savannah Johnson and a groundout RBI by
Madison Anglin, widened the gap to 7-0 after three innings.
- The scoring continued in the fourth inning as the Cavs added two more runs. Baker's double set the stage, and with a pinch runner,
Kylee Holt, executing a successful steal of second base while Baker stole home.
Taylor Noe's subsequent RBI single brought in Holt, solidifying the lead to 9-0.-
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Angelina Branch delivered a stellar performance, pitching a complete game shutout over 5 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out six batters. Branch faced 19 batters, issuing two walks and hitting one batter, but maintained control with a WHIP of 0.60. She threw 77 pitches, 47 of which were strikes, as she improved to 1-1 on the season.
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Kaylynn Baker led the team with three runs, three hits, and two RBIs, including two doubles.
Lindsey Polan contributed with three hits and one RBI, adding a double to her performance.
Adyson Gibson scored two runs and added two hits, including a double.
GAME TWO – UVA Wise 11, Charleston 10
The Cavaliers capitalized on four doubles and a home run to secure the 11-10 victory over Charleston, while the Golden Eagles mounted a formidable challenge with two five-run innings.
- The game saw several momentum swings, with the Cavs taking an early lead in the second inning.
Kennedy Miller's double to right center set up the scoring, and
Taylor Clay's two-run double extended the lead. The inning concluded with UVA Wise up 4-0.
- In the third inning, Charleston responded by capitalizing on an error and a series of walks, bringing in five runs to take the lead momentarily. However, Miller's solo homer in the bottom half evened the score, making it 5-5 after three innings.
- The Highland Cavaliers regained the lead in the fourth inning with a productive frame.
Kaylynn Baker's two-RBI single and a run scored on a passed ball put them ahead 8-5 after the fourth.
- Charleston mounted another charge in the fifth inning, scoring five more runs to take a 10-8 lead. However, the Cavs answered back with another three-run inning. A pinch-hit double by
Kylee Holt and Baker's two-RBI double reclaimed the lead at 11-10 after five innings.
- The final two innings featured strong defensive efforts by both teams, as neither added to their scores. UVA Wise's pitching and defense held firm in the final frames to secure the win.
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Chloe Murphy started the game for the Highland Cavaliers, pitching 2 innings and allowing 4 runs on 4 hits, while walking 3 and striking out 3 batters.
Olivia Shockley relieved Murphy and pitched 2 innings, surrendering 4 runs on 5 hits with 3 walks and 1 strikeout.
Bayleigh Allison closed out the game with an effective performance, pitching 3 scoreless innings, allowing just 1 hit and striking out 2, securing the win for the Cavs.
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Taylor Clay posted two hits, including a double, while driving in two runs and scoring twice.
Kaylynn Baker recorded four RBIs on two hits, contributing significantly to the team's scoring.
Kennedy Miller added a home run and a double among her two hits, tallying two runs and an RBI.
GETTING WISE
- The Cavs are now 23-9 vs. non-conference opponents on Bill Gatton Field since it was converted to turf after the 2023 season.
- UVA Wise is now 3-1 against Cedarville and 19-19 against former Mountain East Conference rival Charleston. It was also their first meeting with Charleston since the 2019 season.
UP NEXT
Valentine's Day will be basically a repeat of today's games, with UVA Wise playing Cedarville at noon and Charleston at 4 p.m. Cedarville and Charleston will meet again at 2 p.m.
