WISE – The UVA Wise softball team swept a pair of games against Virginia State and Ferrum Saturday afternoon on the Bill Gatton Field.
The first game of the day against Virginia State was the 400th game played by the Highland Cavaliers on the Bill Gatton (formerly Cavalier) Field, dating back to February 25, 2005. The pair of wins move their all-time record in the facility to 242-159.
INSIDE THE MATCHUPS
Result Game 1: UVA Wise 13, Virginia State 8
Result Game 2: UVA Wise 4, Ferrum 1
Records: UVA Wise (11-3); Virginia State (0-5); Ferrum (2-5)
Location: Wise, VA | Bill Gatton Field
GAME 1 – UVA Wise 13, Virginia State 8
- UVA Wise secured a 13-8 victory over Virginia State as the hosts amassed 16 hits, including four doubles and two triples, to propel their offensive performance.
- In the first inning, UVA Wise responded to Virginia State's early run with a two-RBI triple by
Taylor Noe, scoring
Adyson Gibson and
Taylor Clay. The score was 2-1 in favor of the Highland Cavaliers at the end of the inning.
- The second inning saw the Cavs increase their lead.
Mataya Ausmus reached third on a single and a throwing error, allowing
Sophie Easterly to score on a wild pitch. Ausmus then scored on another wild pitch, making it 4-1 after two innings.
- Virginia State narrowed the gap to 4-2 in the third inning, but the Cavaliers' defense held firm.
- In the fourth inning, a triple by Gibson and subsequent plays pushed the Cavs further ahead. Noe, Kaylie Baker, and
Kennedy Miller contributed RBIs, pushing the score to 8-2.
- The Highland Cavaliers added a run in the fifth inning when Easterly doubled and later scored on a single by Clay. The score was 9-2 after five innings.
- The sixth inning was high-scoring for both teams. The Trojans scored six runs, cutting the deficit to 9-8. However, the Cavs responded with four runs of their own, highlighted by a three-run inside-the-park home run by Clay, restoring a comfortable lead at 13-8.
-The seventh inning saw no further scoring, and the Highland Cavaliers secured the win with a final score of 13-8.
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Bayleigh Allison pitched 5 innings, allowing 7 earned runs on 9 hits, while striking out 3 batters and walking 2.
Olivia Shockley made a brief appearance, facing 3 batters without recording an out, giving up 1 earned run on 1 hit and 2 walks.
Jordan Mooney closed the game with 2 scoreless innings, allowing just 1 hit and striking out 1, earning a save in the process.
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Taylor Clay delivered a standout performance, recording three runs, three hits, and five RBIs, including a home run.
Taylor Noe contributed significantly by adding three RBIs with a triple and two hits.
Savannah Johnson finished with three hits and added one run, contributing both offensively and defensively.
Kaylynn Baker showed strong defensive skills with five assists while also reaching base with two hits.
- The game was a homecoming for former UVA Wise standout pitcher Raychel Lapallo, who is an assistant coach for Virginia State.
GAME 2 – UVA Wise 4, Ferrum 1
- UVA Wise totaled five hits, including a home run as they defeated Ferrum 4-1 in their fourth meeting of the season.
- In the second inning, the Cavaliers took the lead with
Taylor Noe walking and advancing on a fielding error.
Ashley Morgan then doubled to left center, driving in two unearned runs. The score was 2-0 at the end of the second inning.
- In the fourth inning,
Lindsey Polan extended the lead with a solo home run to center field, making it 3-0. The score stood at 3-0 after the fourth inning.
- The fifth inning saw the Cavs increase their lead further. After
Mataya Ausmus singled, a pinch runner scored on
Taylor Clay's sacrifice fly, pushing the score to 4-0 by the end of the fifth inning.
- Ferrum managed to score in the sixth inning when Abby Bradberry singled and was brought home by Mirenda Shields' double, making the score 4-1. However, the Highland Cavaliers maintained their defensive stance in the seventh inning, preventing any further scoring. The final score was 4-1 in favor of the Cavs.
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Chloe Murphy pitched a complete game, allowing only one earned run over 7 innings. Murphy struck out seven batters while walking five and gave up four hits. Murphy effectively managed 134 pitches, 85 of which were strikes, maintaining a WHIP of 1.29. Murphy also contributed defensively with a pickoff and recorded a win, improving the season record to 4-1.
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Lindsey Polan stood out by hitting a home run, contributing one run and one RBI.
Ashley Morgan added to the team's offensive efforts with a double, driving in two RBIs. On the mound, Murphy completed a seven-inning game, allowing one earned run while striking out seven batters.
Taylor Noe reached base consistently, recording two hits and scoring one run.
UP NEXT
The Cavs will have a few days off before hosting Lees-McRae and Concord Friday afternoon. Over the rest of the weekend they will host Lees-McRae and Ursuline on Saturday, followed by a doubleheader against Ursuline on Sunday.
