West Virginia Wesleyan softball goes 2-4 in season-opening Converse University Tournament

Kendall Stoffel starred in the circle for West Virginia Wesleyan, allowing six hits, two runs, and striking out 12 batters to earn a complete-game victory.

Offensively, the Bobcats recorded 10 hits with Alyssa Rohr and Andie Dizon each contributing two.

West Virginia Wesleyan struck first in the third inning when Dizon delivered a sacrifice fly. Yet, Converse responded in the fourth, tying the game at 1-1.

After both teams added a run in the eighth, the Bobcats capitalized on a wild pitch in the tenth, allowing Dizon to score the go-ahead run. Gracey Arnold extended the lead with a sacrifice fly, sealing the 4-2 win.

In Friday's second game, West Virginia Wesleyan suffered an 11-0, seven-inning loss to Lynn University.

West Virginia Wesleyan starting pitcher Josi Fix took the loss, allowing three earned runs on four hits over 1 1/3 innings. Bobcat relievers Morgan Greene and Kelsi Brown provided middle-inning support. Greene tossed three innings and Brown contributed 1 2/3 scoreless frames.

The Bobcats managed four hits with Lynzee Hague, Ella Fournier, Arnold and Dizon each collecting one. However, the team struggled to string together hits to challenge Lynn’s defense.

Lynn’s offense ignited in the second inning with three runs and continued to apply pressure. The Fighting Knights added two runs in the fifth and capped the game with a six-run seventh inning, totaling 11 runs on nine hits.

Returning to action Saturday, the Bobcats rebounded with a dominant 15-4, six-inning victory over Erskine College.

West Virginia Wesleyan plated two runs in the first inning, three in the second, and four in the third to establish a commanding 9-1 lead. After a scoreless fourth, they added one in the fifth before sealing the game with a five-run sixth.

The Bobcats amassed 12 hits with Dizon leading the way with a perfect 4-for-4 performance at the plate.

Greene controlled Erskine’s lineup, earning the win in the circle and improving to 1-0.

Erskine scored a run in the second inning and attempted a comeback with three in the fifth, but West Virginia Wesleyan’s lead proved insurmountable.

Later on Saturday, West Virginia Wesleyan fell to Limestone University, 6-4, despite a late rally.

The Bobcats took an early lead in the first inning when Dizon singled and eventually scored.

Limestone capitalized on defensive miscues in the second, plating six unearned runs. Tayler Jenkins and Faith Callaway each contributed two RBIs during the surge, giving the Saints a 6-1 advantage.

West Virginia Wesleyan remained quiet offensively until the seventh. Fournier and Arnold each had two hits, with Arnold driving in two runs. Sam Carlin added an RBI, cutting the deficit to two. However, Limestone pitcher Chelsey Stonesifer shut down the rally, securing a complete-game victory.

Fix (0-2) took the loss, allowing six unearned runs over 1 2/3 innings. Brown provided stability in relief, tossing 4 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out four to keep West Virginia Wesleyan within reach.

In Sunday’s opener, West Virginia Wesleyan fell to King University, 7-5.

The Bobcats recorded six hits, with contributions from Dizon, Rohr, Hague, and Arnold. Two defensive errors proved costly in the close contest.

Stoffel started, pitching three innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits while striking out two. Greene provided 3 1/3 innings of relief, surrendering four runs (three earned) on four hits with three strikeouts. Brown recorded the final two outs without allowing a hit.

King took an early 3-0 lead, scoring twice in the first and adding another run in the third. West Virginia Wesleyan responded in the bottom of the third when Dizon delivered an RBI single.

The Bobcats continued chipping away in the fifth, with Rohr using her speed to score and bring the deficit to 3-2.

The seventh inning proved decisive. King extended its lead with a four-run burst, making it 7-2. West Virginia Wesleyan fought back in the bottom half, as Hague sparked a rally and Arnold delivered a two-RBI double, bringing the score to 7-5. Despite the late surge, the comeback fell short.

In the final game of the weekend tournament, West Virginia Wesleyan fell to Lynn University, 6-1.

The Bobcats’ only run came in the sixth when Arnold drove in a run. Arnold finished 2-for-3, while designated player Fournier also recorded a hit.

Brown (0-1) took the loss for the Bobcats, allowing six runs over six innings.

The West Virginia Wesleyan softball team won't return to action until taking part in the two-day Glenville State Tournament starting on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m.