It is incredibly hard to believe that softball season on the Hilltop has already been in play for over a month, yet here we are watching the Lady Toppers muscle their way to a 15-9 record of the season. With their double-header season debut against Clarion being postponed on February 20, West Liberty opened up the 2022 campaign against Kutztown University on February 25. Admittingly, it was a very rough stretch to open the season for the black and gold, with back-to-back Mountain East Conference (MEC) Coach of the Year, Minch’s squad going 0-6 to open the season. However, once conference play began, West Liberty quickly turned around, and showcased their dominance over teams, reminding many of their MEC foes how they claimed a conference championship last season.

WLU began MEC play on March 20 against Alderson Broaddus University, riding a six game win streak and a 12-8 overall record into the contest. With Annie Patterson and Riley Binnington throwing from within the circle in both games of the doubleheader, West Liberty was able to win rather comfortably in both games, taking the first game against AB 7-0 and the second game 5-2 to move to 2-0 in conference play. The very next day, Notre Dame College (Ohio) traveled up to the Hilltop to take on WLU, and even worse results followed for the Falcons. Notre Dame, having to go up against Annie Patterson yet again and defending MEC Pitcher of the Year Makenzie Amend in back-to-back games, it is understandable that the Falcons had very little offense to show for each game, letting the Hilltoppers cruise past them rather handedly by the scores of 7-0 and 4-0, respectively.

With the Hilltoppers running off the high tails of a perfect 4-0 record in conference play, along with a very impressive ten game win streak, the team finally had to hit the road after four straight home games. With Institute, W.Va being the location, a highly anticipated midseason slug-fest was set to commence between West Virginia State and West Liberty. In the first game, the Yellow Jackets were able to end the Hilltoppers recent tear, and take the first game by the final of 3-2. However, West Liberty was able to bounce back in the best way, winning game two by the final score of 11-10 in nine innings.

As it currently stands at the time of this article, WLU sits at 15-9 overall, with a very impressive 5-1 record in the MEC to start. Sitting second overall in the conference, the Lady Hilltoppers look to close out the month of March with a doubleheader against the University of Charleston and Slippery Rock University. With doubleheaders against Frostburg State University, Wheeling University and Glenville State University due in the beginning of April, the road ahead appears to be an extremely anticipated stretch for the defending Mountain East Conference Champions.