BUCKHANNON, W.Va. - Davis & Elkins softball methodically chipped away in game two, climbing back from several deficits throughout the nightcap in a 20-19 extra-inning victory in the nightcap. 

The Senators fell 7-5 in the first game. Both sides accounted for a combined 39 runs, 34 hits and nine errors in the eight-inning game that lasted nearly three hours and 30 minutes. Lilly Saucedo went 5-for-7 at the plate in game two, collecting five RBI in the nightcap. 

THE RUNDOWN: GAME ONE

• Final Score:West Virginia Wesleyan 7, Davis & Elkins 5
• Records: Davis & Elkins (9-14) | WV Wesleyan (13-8)
• Location: Culpepper Field - Buckhannon, W.Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED: GAME ONE

• WVWC got on the board early with a leadoff home run in the first inning for a 1-0 edge.
• Jenna Evans tossed a scoreless second in the circle before D&E found its offensive touch in the third. Evans surrendered seven runs in six innings against a potent WVWC lineup.
• With one away, Morgan Tandarich singled to center, moving to second on a misplayed ball. Kristen Malloy pushed across the game-tying run with a single to right center, scoring Tandarich for the 1-1 tie.
• The Senators pieced together another run-scoring hit, courtesy of Kailynn Parks, pushing D&E ahead 2-1 with Malloy crossing home.
• The fourth consecutive hit of the fourth expanded the D&E edge to 4-1 after a two-run blast to center from Lilly Saucedo.
• WVWC chipped away with single runs in the bottom of the third and fourth, ultimately moving ahead with three runs in the fifth for a 6-4 lead.

THE RUNDOWN: GAME TWO

• Final Score: Davis & Elkins 20, WV Wesleyan 19 (8 Innings)
• Records: Davis & Elkins (10-14) | WV Wesleyan (13-9)
• Location: Culpepper Field - Buckhannon, W.Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED: GAME TWO

• A leadoff walk put a Malloy on in the first inning, moving to second on a bunt from Parks, before heading to third on a single from Saucedo. With runners on the corners, WVWC induced an inning-ending double play to keep D&E off the board.
• In the bottom of the first, Holt applied a tag at home for one out, but the Bobcats responded with a three-run home run to left from Lauren King for a 3-0 lead.
• A grand slam highlighted a seven-run second inning for the Bobcats, who surged ahead 10-0. A single from Christina Kosier, who entered to pitch, plated Malloy and Parks as D&E trailed 10-2.
• WVWC strung together three consecutive one-out singles, adding to the lead on a King single to left for an 11-2 advantage.
• The Senators used a big fourth inning to get back on the comeback trail, down 11-7. A fielder's choice, single forSharon Morales, walk to Kosier, singles for Maddie Lavelle and Morales once again brought the Senators to within four.
• The Bobcats countered with a four-run fourth inning to regain some breathing room at 15-7.
• Davis & Elkins roared back, plating eight runs over the next two innings, working the score tied at 15. The Senators strung together several hits to different parts of the park, also taking advantage of some defensive miscues from the Bobcats to get back in it.
• Down 18-15 in its last chance at the plate, Tandarich connected on a two-run home run, bringing the Senators to within one at 18-17 in the seventh.
• D&E had runners on second and third with just one away in the seventh after a walk to Malloy and a strong effort down the line from Parks. Another big hit off the bat of Saucedo tied the score at 18 with Malloy racing home.
• After a pitching change, Holt drew a walk as Saucedo moved to second to bring up Evans.The Bobcats collected the second out at home on a fielder's choice and got out of the frame with a flyout. 
• After a leadoff walk, Evans got two outs before plunking Clark. The right-hander induced a flyout to send the game to extras tied up at 18. 
• In the top of the eighth, Tandarich collected another hit, flaring an 0-2 pitch through the right side with two outs before Malloy laced a single down the left field line. Parks hit a slow roller along the infield, racing down to beat the throw and load the bases. With a full count, Saucedo delivered again with a two-run double for a 20-18. Holt hit a flyball that required a leaping catch at the wall to end the Senator half of the frame. 
• The Bobcats pushed one across in their final trip to the plate, but three flyouts to center ended the extended game. 

NEWS AND NOTES

• Malloy and Tandarich notched two hits each in game one.
• Saucedo recorded her team-leading sixth home run of the season with her fourth inning game one shot.
• Saucedo added five hits in game two. Parks and Malloy scored four times for the Senators in the nightcap. 
• Honesty Holt barreled several balls in game one, including one to right field that was snared in a tough luck 0-for-3 day at the dish.
• Kosier's appearance in the circle in game two was the first of her career.
• 18 runs in game two set a new season high for D&E.
• Kosier and Evans combined to limit the damage in some key spots as D&E continued to close the gap. 

UP NEXT
Davis & Elkins softball is back home for a back-to-back doubleheader, beginning Saturday, April 24 with a noon first pitch against West Virginia State.

 

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