Concord Splits with West Liberty

ATHENS, W.Va-  The Concord University softball team fell 3-2 to the visiting West Liberty Hilltoppers in game one before responding  with an 8-0 victory in the second game. 

Concord's record stands at 19-13 overall (8-6 MEC), while West Liberty are now 9-27 overall (2-12 MEC). 

Game 1: West Liberty 3 - Concord 2
The Mountain Lions answered West Liberty's first-inning run with a score of their own after junior outfielder Lauren Lewis singled to drive home junior shortstop Alayna Furr.

However, the Mountain Lions found themselves at a 3-1 disadvantage after West Liberty scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning.  Concord rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Lewis drove in Furr once again, this time with a double, to pull the Mountain Lions to within one.  However, West Liberty induced a groundout to hang on to a 3-2 victory. 

Lewis finished 2-for-4 in game with two RBI. Furr, sophomore third baseman Alycea Watson, junior pitcher Sarah Herndon, and freshman pitcher / utility Aarron Ward, each went 2-for-3.  

Game 2 Concord 8 - West Liberty 0 (Five Innings)
Concord's bats had no problem scoring runs in the second game, as the Mountain Lions score at least one run in four of the first five innings.  

A Lewis home run in the second inning made the score 3-0 in favor of CU, bringing home Furr once more. 

After tacking on a run in the fourth, Concord used a big fifth inning to end the game early.  Three consecutive singles by Watson, Ward, and senior second baseman / outfielder Kristen Rose loaded the bases for freshman outfielder / pitcher Abby Beatty. Beatty belted a bases-clearing double in the left field corner to add three more runs to make the score 7-0.  Lewis added her third RBI of the game on a single to drive home the Roanoke, Virginia native and seal the win for CU.

Lewis finished 2-for-4 at the plate, with her second homer of the season and three RBI. Beatty added four RBI of her own. Furr finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Ward and Rose tallied a hit in every at-bat, going 3-for-3 and 2-for-2 respectively.

Concord faces a quick turnaround as it welcomes Wheeling Jesuit for a doubleheader Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.