WISE – UVA Wise hosted former Mountain East Conference foe Fairmont State and Ferrum returned for another go-around with the Cavs on the Bill Gatton Field as UVA Wise split for the day, losing to Fairmont State 4-2 and winning over Ferrum in a dropped fly-off in the nightcap.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result Game 1: Fairmont State 4, UVA Wise 2
Result Game 2: UVA Wise 6, Ferrum 5
Records: UVA Wise (9-3); Fairmont State (4-2); Ferrum (1-5)
Location: Wise, VA | Bill Gatton Field
GAME 1 – Fairmont State 4, UVA Wise 2
UVA Wise recorded six hits, including two doubles, while Fairmont State scored all four of its runs in the fourth inning.
- The Cavs took an early lead in the second inning after
Taylor Noe reached first on a throwing error.
Savannah Johnson doubled to left field, allowing Noe to score an unearned run. The score stood at 1-0 in favor of the Cavaliers after two innings.
- In the fourth inning, the Fighting Falcons responded with a strong offensive performance, scoring four runs. A double by Breonna Marietta, a bunt single by Carly Crowder, and consecutive doubles by Abbie Keilhoz and Bella Hess contributed to their scoring. The Cavs managed to add one run in their half of the inning when
Kennedy Miller doubled and was later brought home by a single from
Ashley Morgan. This brought the score to 4-2 in favor of Fairmont State after four innings.
- The fifth, sixth, and seventh innings remained scoreless for both teams, resulting in a final score of the Falcons 4, Highland Cavaliers 2.
- Reigning South Atlantic Conference Pitcher of the Week
Olivia Shockley pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits while striking out one and walking three. Shockley faced 20 batters, throwing 91 pitches with 58 strikes, and recorded a WHIP of 2.81.
Chloe Murphy relieved Shockley, pitching 3 1/3 innings without allowing a run, giving up two hits, and striking out one with two walks. Murphy maintained a WHIP of 1.29 over 14 batters faced, contributing significantly to the defensive effort without yielding any earned runs.
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Kennedy Miller made a notable contribution by recording a double and scoring a run.
Savannah Johnson also made an impact with a double, collecting one RBI.
Kaylynn Baker was active defensively at third base, amassing five assists.
GAME 2 – UVA Wise 6, Ferrum 5
- UVA Wise secured the win with a crucial run in the seventh inning, finishing the game with 11 hits and five doubles.
- In the third inning, UVA Wise broke the 0-0 deadlock with a strong offensive display.
Adyson Gibson drew a walk and scored on
Taylor Clay's double to right center.
Kaylynn Baker followed with a double to center field, bringing Clay home. After two outs,
Taylor Noe doubled to right center, allowing Baker to score.
Savannah Johnson capped the inning with a single up the middle, driving Noe in. By the end of the inning, the Cavaliers led 4-0.
- The Panthers responded in the fourth inning with a two-run homer by Kelsey Marshall, cutting the deficit to 4-2. The score remained the same through the fifth inning as both teams were held scoreless.
- In the sixth inning, Ferrum took the lead with a three-run homer by Payton Evans, bringing the score to 5-4 in favor of the visitors. However, the Cavs quickly responded in their half of the inning. Gibson walked, advanced on a passed ball, and scored when
Lindsey Polan singled through the left side. At the end of the sixth, the game was tied at 5-5.
- The decisive moment came in the seventh inning when Noe doubled to right center and later scored on a dropped fly by the third baseman, securing the 6-5 win for UVA Wise.
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Angelina Branch pitched 5 innings, allowing 4 earned runs on 5 hits, including a home run, while striking out 10 batters and walking 3. Branch threw 115 pitches, 71 of which were strikes, and maintained a WHIP of 1.60. Her ten strikeouts are the most by a Cavalier pitcher since McKenna Falwell fanned 12 at Anderson on Feb. 24, 2023.
Chloe Murphy came in relief for 2 innings, conceding 1 earned run on 1 hit, a home run, while striking out 4 without issuing any walks, achieving a WHIP of 0.50. Murphy threw 24 pitches, with 21 being strikes, and secured the win, improving to a 3-1 record.
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Adyson Gibson reached base three times on walks and scored twice, contributing to the team's offensive efforts.
Taylor Noe added two doubles and scored two runs, driving in one to bolster the scoring.
Kaylynn Baker recorded two hits, including a double, and collected one RBI with an additional run scored.
Lindsey Polan delivered two hits and one RBI, maintaining a steady presence at the plate.
UP NEXT
The Cavs will host Virginia State at 12:00 p.m., and Ferrum at 4 p.m. Ferrum and Virginia State will play at 2 p.m.
Virginia State makes a return trip to Wise after playing here last year and features former Highland Cavalier pitching standout Raychel Lapallo on their staff. Lapallo won 31 games in 94 appearances from 2017-21 and struck out 216 batters,
Another note of interest is that the game vs. Virginia State at Noon will be the 400th game played by UVA Wise on Cavalier/Bill Gatton Field, dating back to Feb. 25, 2005, when the Cavs hosted Bluefield College in an Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader. There will be a feature about the field and those first games posted on the athletics Facebook page tomorrow before the game.
