Softball swept in conference doubleheader at WVU Tech

BECKLEY, W.Va. --- Carlow University softball was unable to pull off another split against WVU Tech in River States Conference action Friday.

Game 1: L, 10-2 (6 inn.)

The Golden Bears (22-24, 12-16 RSC) three-hit the Celtics (15-31, 9-19 RSC) in a six-inning run rule win to start the day.

Clara Niglio singled to start off the third inning, and Francesca Beighley brought in both of Carlow's runs with a home run over the left field fence.

The Celtics' lead didn't last long, as back-to-back one-out singles put runners on for the Golden Bears in the bottom half of the frame.

A two-run double through the hole at second tied the score, and a two-out RBI triple gave WVU Tech a lead they would not relinquish the remainder of the game. A passed ball allowed an unearned run in before Carlow could make it out of the inning.

WVU Tech retired the Celtics in order in the top of the fourth and added five runs on five hits – including a two-run home run to left field with two outs – to gain a 9-2 lead.

The Golden Bears retired the side once again, but Carlow made it out of a jam in the bottom of the fifth, leaving runners stranded on second and third for WVU Tech.

Carlow was retired in order in the sixth, and a walk-off single to left field scored the mercy rule run for the Golden Bears in the bottom of the inning.

Morgan Pierce was saddled with the loss after allowing six earned runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work. Amanda Hu and Tatum Wiggs combined to pitch the remainder of the game, allowing three earned runs on five hits. Wiggs recorded two walks and a strikeout.

Emma Crisswell earned the win for WVU Tech. She struck out six and did not allow a single hit in 3.1 innings.

Hailea Skeens batted 3 for 4, Maggie Richards went 2 for 3 with four RBI, and Scarlet Janney was 2 for 2 with a triple, two walks and an RBI for the Golden Bears.

Game 2: L, 7-1

The Golden Bears completed the sweep of the Celtics in the nightcap, but this time it was Courtney Miles who tossed the three-hitter for the win.

The Celtics got out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, but WVU Tech struck in the second.

Three doubles and a walk brought in three runs for the Golden Bears.

Carlow scored its lone run in the top of the third. Gallagher got the inning started with a double to left field, and a one-out ground out followed by a subsequent error allowed her to score an unearned run.

WVU Tech retired the Celtics in order in the fourth and added two runs on one hit to increase their lead to 5-1.

The Golden Bears tacked on two runs with three hits in the bottom of the sixth and put the Celtics away in the seventh to secure the win.

Gallagher hit 2 for 3 with two doubles and a walk. Niglio suffered the loss after allowing six earned runs on 10 hits with seven walks and four strikeouts in the complete game effort.

Richards hit 3 for 4 with three RBI and Nicole Kester went 2 for 4 with two RBI for the Golden Bears.

The Celtics return to action with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at the University of Rio Grande tomorrow.